Trip report

Mt. Garfield Hike

Hiking/Walk DATE: 11/21/2015 - 11/21/2015

Trip/Event Location: Lincoln, NH
US

Trip Leader(s): Gandalf , JDNnh

Max # People: 15

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous

This ledgy 4,000 footer has one of the premier viewing perches in the Whites!

Mt. Garfield, located northeast of Mt. Lafayette and Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire's White Mountains in the 14th

...
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

Driver north through Franconia Notch on the parkway. As this scenic route agains becomes I-93, turn right onto US 3 and follow it for 5 miles toward Twin Mountain. At a hiker sign and a sign for the Gale River Trail, turn right onto the Gale River Loop Road. Drive about 3 miles, past the trailhead for the Gale River Trail, to the Garfield Trail sign and parking on the left.

When you leave, you can continue ahead on the Gale River Loop Road, 1.2 miles to US 3. You can, of course, also enter that way, but the turn is not so well marked as the one on the other end.


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

We took a hike to one of the best viewpoints in the Whites on a crisp fall day and 100+ mile views from the summit. The trek to Mt. Garfield [4,500’] is 10 miles round trip with 3000 feet of elevation gain, but the gradient is easy to at most moderate except for the final steep rocky scramble at the top.

It was a cold start to the day with temps in the 30's. There were many cars at the trailhead parking area. This morning we would be starting out with fleece, warm hat, and gloves.

We started on the Garfield Trail at 9:30 AM. It was a nice brisk walk through the cool forest. The first part of the Garfield Trail meanders along a narrow and bumpy embankment through fine hemlock woods. The next long section follows old logging roads and the old tractor road that served the former fire lookout in this vast hardwood forest. There were three tricky water crossings over Spruce Brook due to high water from a recent rainstorm in which Jim slipped into one of them.  He removed his pants and hiked in shorts the remainder of the day.

Another mile and it was time for the fleece, hat and gloves to come off. We then ascended into a fine white birch forest. We followed several switchbacks up through a coniferous forest. At about this time we started meeting the first hikers coming down off the mountain.

Just after 12:30 PM we reached the Garfield Ridge Trail for the summit approach. There were a couple of Gray Jays that we enjoyed feeding from our hands. We had a scramble of 0.2 mile to the summit. It was a steep trail section with patches of ice so we had to be careful with our footing. At the crest, we took a left turn to the former tower’s concrete foundation. The rocky summit commanded a spectacular and unique view of the Pemigewasset Wilderness! We saw the Galehead Hut that appears as a toy building among miles of evergreens.

There were several hikers up here already. For the descent, we put on our MicroSpikes partway down the steep 0.2 section. Late day sun reached the white birches above us.

It took us three hours to hike the five miles from the summit back to the parking lot. The Garfield Trail is a great hike. It's a gradual climb except for the last two tenths of a mile to the summit. It took us seven hours up and back. Today was perfect hiking weather and the views were spectacular! After the hike, four of had a great dinner cooked by Jon while relaxing by the fireplace.  

Always a pleasure hiking with our fellow GO members! 

~ Mike with photos taken by Jon

 

Test123

test

What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event

  • My early, clumsy stumble and sore did not deter me and I am very glad. Yes, great guys, vistas and moments; including real,graceful birds in/on hand "..faute de mieux". - Scorpione
  • Myearly,clumsy stumble - Scorpione
  • Great hike,beautiful November sky, lots of laughs and great companionship, Fantastico!!!! - jrenren

Members That Participated

Gandalf

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States

Attended
JDNnh

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States

Attended
HikerBlue

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Braintree, MA


United States

Attended
HikerBiker

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Londonderry, NH


United States

Attended
Scorpione

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Boston / Cape Ann, MA


United States

Attended
guest member
jrenren

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


amherst, MA


United States

Attended
Scorpione Nov 25, 2015 at 6:45 AM

Comment: My early, clumsy stumble and sore did not deter me and I am very glad. Yes, great guys, vistas and moments; including real,graceful birds in/on hand "..faute de mieux".

Scorpione Nov 25, 2015 at 6:16 AM

Comment: Myearly,clumsy stumble

jrenren Nov 24, 2015 at 6:54 PM

Comment: Great hike,beautiful November sky, lots of laughs and great companionship, Fantastico!!!!

<
Hiking, backpacking, camping or vacation adventures, GayOutdoors [GO] has been the LGBTQ outdoorzy community leader for the last 22 years. We are an informal group of diverse hiking enthusiasts in the United States with a shared love of the mountains who prefer hiking with friends. We invite you to join us on our hikes, to post hikes for other members to join you and to share your hiking photos, stories and advice.

Become A Member

If you find it invigorating to hike along a mountain trail with friends not knowing what’s just around the corner, to get some fresh air, to stop and soak in the views on a summit, and to soak your feet in a mountain brook after a hike, give us a try!

BECOME A MEMBER







Powered by Ecomsolutions.net - ColdFusion Experts