Garfield Trail

[The Hikers]

We've decided we can't stand another day of looking out at the rain, so we are going to climb Garfield tomorrow ,whatever the forecast. Is there any problem with the Gale River Loop Road? I seem to remember a bridge was out at one time.

 

[rocket21]

Yes indeed...the western branch of Gale River Road is closed due to three bridges being out. You can still access the Garfield Trail from the east branch of the road (ie the way one would normally access the Gale River Trail).

 

[The Hikers]

Thanks , Jeremy. That will save us some time in turning around.

 

[David Metsky]

Thanks , Jeremy. That will save us some time in turning around.

Not really, the Garfield side of the loop is gated right off Rt 3, you'd only waste 15 seconds before heading to the other side of the loop.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Not really, the Garfield side of the loop is gated right off Rt 3, you'd only waste 15 seconds before heading to the other side of the loop.

15 seconds that I did in fact waste a few weeks ago!

 

[David Metsky]

Me too, but I was expecting it to be gated. Just checking.

 

[Waumbek]

We haven't had measurable rain in almost 10 days. Today's predicted t-storms fizzled out. Gardeners not happy.

 

[1HappyHiker]

This is related to The Hikers original posting where it was stated:
“We've decided we can't stand another day of looking out at the rain, so we are going to climb Garfield tomorrow, whatever the forecast.”

Because of the NOAA weather forecast, I opted to finish up some trail work on the Mt. Tremont Trail today. At the time I checked, NOAA predicted only a 50% chance of rain/thunderstorms in Northern Carroll County (where Tremont is located) versus a 70% chance for Northern Grafton and Southern Coos counties.

So what happened?! I got rained on twice during thunderstorms in the Mt. Tremont area; whereas folks I talked to in Bethlehem (Northern Grafton) got no rain. Go figure!

BOTTOM LINE: Even if the forecast is for rain/thunderstorms in the Mt. Garfield area, who the heck knows if this will happen.
Take rain gear. That should ward off any rain! But, leave the rain gear at home, and you’re assured of rain. How’s that for a forecast?!

 

[ColdRiverRun]

Take rain gear. That should ward off any rain! But, leave the rain gear at home, and you’re assured of rain. How’s that for a forecast?!

Ha! I guess this goes with the "the only gear your going to need is the stuff you left in your trunk" statement.

 

[The Hikers]

The ponchos are in the packs. As stated, we are going hell or high water.

 

[AndyF]

If half of the time they forecast 50% chance of rain it actually does rain, then they are 100% accurate.

 

[billski]

If half of the time they forecast 50% chance of rain it actually does rain, then they are 100% accurate.

Andy is right - you really have to look at the probabilities.

My rule of thumb: 30% or under, go with your original plan. 60% or more, plan on it, think seriously about staying below treeline if lightning is forecast. In the middle, flip a coin. But unless it looks like a really bad storm or sever thunderstorms, I still go.

I also like the NWS hourly forecast which shows rain, thunder, it gives some clue as to the general trend.

 

[The Hikers]

We made it up and back, no problem, and before any storms. Report and pictures to come

 

[naturegirl]

Weather and Hiking...

I like when the forecast says...

"Chance of rain and thunderstorms "before" 2pm. Then chance of rain and thunderstorms "after 2pm."