Gale River- conditions at crossing

imported
#1

Does anyone have current information about the condition of the crossings on the Gale River going up to the AT and Galehead. My wife and I are doing that hike next week and were concerned about the crossing where the bridge is out. I had understood that some work had been done there to make the crossing reasonable safe, but I wondered what it might be like now with all of the rain they’ve had in NH over the last few weeks. Does anyone have any current information.
Thanks.
Pastor John

Pastor John

#2

Over the weekend the Gale was at flood level and was up to the bottom of the bridge at the route three crossing. I imagine with all the rain we have been having it is still pretty high. The water will go down pretty quickly if it ever stops raining making the crossing much safer but as of today it is probably not easy.

Big B

#3

I took the Gale River Trail the day they clossed the route 3 to the trail head road. The three “big” crossings were a tad hair raising. I’m five three. The bottom crossing came to my inseam…31 inches. I could feel my foot sliding out as I stepped. the second crossing on the trib was just short enough but torrential. No big deal The third crossing was big standing waves. I got to the crossing just as a number of guys were coming from the hut. We ended up making a hu
man chain to help eachother cross. I think if it keeps raining like it’s been doin, this situation won’t change. But the Croo at the hut said they were plsaniing to put a roap across the big crossing. Good LUck:eek:

Sox

#4

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully by next Friday (the 15th of August), we’ll have some subsiding of the water. We older folks aren’t quite as nimble in rock hopping and crossing torrential streams. I don’t see another realistic alterantive for getting back to Galehead other than the AT which is a very long, long hike for us. So let’s just hope that we have a little less water by next week. Pastor John

Pastor John

#5

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully by next Friday (the 15th of August), we’ll have some subsiding of the water. We older folks aren’t quite as nimble in rock hopping and crossing torrential streams. I don’t see another realistic alterantive for getting back to Galehead other than the AT which is a very long, long hike for us. So let’s just hope that we have a little less water by next week. Pastor John

Pastor John

#6

We hiked in on Sat 8/9 and crossings were high but not a problem. Easily able to take your boots off, steady yourself, and wade across. If you’re a tnederfoot like me, wear your Tevas or water shoes to protect your feet. Enjoy!

Joe

#7

With water shoes and poles, the crossing were exciting but not dangerous.

Unbuckle all pack straps

Keep three points of contacts - i.e move one foot or one pole at a time.

Don’t look down.

TJM

#8

Consider hiking up the Garfield Trail. I think you only have to cross Spruce Brook which is narrower than Gale River. It’s about 2.7 miles to the ridge and the ridge trail is an easy hike over to the hut.

rambler