Mt. Garfield

The Nor’easter left its impression…  SNOW…  lots and lots of SNOW – so sweet.  David B., David J. and I met up at the trail head for Mt. Garfield on Saturday – despite the gray forecast – we were not to be deterred.

I am a BIG fan of winter hiking, it’s so pure.  I can only describe it like this…. when the boots and snow shoes are fastened and I take to the trail… it’s like those who enjoy walking barefoot in the sand on the beach.  It’s warmth, soothing sounds and that awesome feeling you get just waiting between seasons to experience the first moment…  you get goose bumps like it’s the first time ever…  yum-my.

I was a little late to the trail head…. but not a big deal… it gave Dave and Dave time to help two ladies, whose car slid in the ditch adjacent to the parking lot, to get out.  We ended leaving the lot sometime around 9am, maybe a few minutes before.  I can’t be certain of the time – my watch battery died – uggg – another little “chore” to get the battery replaced.

At the start we immediately sported our snow shoes.  There was plenty of snow at ground level… I fully expected greater depths as we gained elevation.  We walked the short mile to the trail head and after a photo, headed up.  This lower section of trail is underneath a dense stretch of pines so the snow cover was lighter.  We could have bare booted the stretch but I also knew the snow depths would soon return so we kept the snow shoes on.

We meandered our way up passing the hikers that headed up before us.  We soon found ourselves walking in the sole footprint of a hiker and his dog.  He was the first person on the trail this day and we would run into him just beneath the summit of Garfield.  He sported snow shoes as well so there was a clear path.  In a few spots the water was still running and there was a little bare earth but those were really around the small streams and a few water bars.  The small ice bridges could not be trusted.  A little after the noon hour we reached the summit where, once truly above tree line, the winds whipped at you.  There were no views – just the magnificent rush of fast, cold and furious air – what a rush – the season’s first!

We made our way off the summit and had lunch before beginning the journey back the way we came.  The alternative loop I had so wanted to do was not to be.  The Garfield Ridge Trail off the summit was not broken and I expected the Gale River Trail to be just the same.  They are well blazed trails – we just didn’t want to work that hard, lol.  We felt the work of our first snow shoe hike on the way and wanted to enjoy the ease of descending on a broken and well compacted trail.

We were the last ones up the trail this day – not too many hikers – but also the first one’s out.  On our descent we did cross paths with two hikers who were planning on skiing down the trail – so technically – we weren’t the last ones but they were heading up late afternoon.  We even got back to the parking before the solo hiker and his dog – hmmmmmm – still have to work on a “meandering” pace, lol.  The dogs name was Sally – I always remember the dogs – and I didn’t get bit this time either, lol.

Thank you David and David for an amazing first pre-winter “winter” outing.  We were a well matched trio and I’m certain we’ll soon tackle another 12 mile day before long.  Have a great Thanksgiving gents and see you on the trails!  Cheers!!

After needing to cancel this trip due to the October Nor’easter… we are now firmly rooted in November – the heart of autumn at its purest - a landscape of fading colors, the delight of early snow capped peaks, temps in the 20’s to 40’s, the variety awaits us as we begin the slide to my favorite season of WINTER – one sunrise, one sunset, and one hike at a time.  Yeah – I didn’t rewrite the whole trip notice, lol.  The winter Nor’easter lashed out coating the area with snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain – it was a wicked storm.

Will it be snow capped?  Let’s climb and find out!  Join me for a hike up to Mt. Garfield to capture the fleeting and splendid sights, sounds and scents of autumn in the mountains or maybe the early temps of cool weather and critter tracks in the snow!

You know I love loop hikes and Mt. Garfield offers this opportunity.   Providing the gates are open –– we will meet at the trail head for the Garfield Trail which is approximately 1 mile up the Gale River Loop Road off of route 3 at Five Corners.  The trail mostly follows an old road used for access to a former fire lookout tower that once was at the summit of Garfield.  The grades are mostly moderate all the way up except for a steep pitch just below the summit.  It also is a brilliant hike as where it gets to be more of an upward pitch – switchbacks prevail – unusual for the White Mountains.  On a clear day Mt. Garfield offers views of North & South Twin, the Franconia Ridge among other summits in the Pemigewasset Wilderness.  We’ll carry on from the summit along the Garfield Ridge Trail to connect with the Gale River Trail and make our way back down to the trail head where we will have spotted a car or plan to just walk the short mile back to the Garfield Trail head.  

Round trip is 12.3 miles though a solid 3.5 to 4 is mostly to near flat.  This is a fun filled full day of hiking at a healthy pace with time for water breaks, snacks and lunch.  Total elevation gain is  about 3,300’ as the trail undulates between Garfield and the Gale River trail junction which sits at 3,590’ down from the peak of the day of 4,500’. 

TRIP NOTE:  Plan to loop hike.  This changes if the gates are closed at the parking by the highway.  I will monitor and update accordingly.  Normally gates close on the 15th of November – and if they are – we will hike in/out the same way from the highway parking along route 3.  This shortens the hike by about one mile and increases the amount of flat terrain.  Weather changes often at this time of the year and I will let folks know if we need microspikes/snowshoes closer to the trip date.  

What to bring: 

Food:  Bring snacks and a lunch for the hike.  A little extra is always good.

Water:  Bring two or three liters (depending on how much you drink).  Insulated bottles not required but you should be aware of weather conditions prior to the trip.

Clothing:  No Cotton!  Temps will vary from start to summit and summits are often windy.  Bring layers, gloves, hat, face mask, hand warmers, and other gear you may want for the hike.  Your pack should be big enough to carry excess gear as you warm up.  There will be water crossings – poles are always a steady compliment in those moments if you like or need them.   Inclement weather will cancel the trip but we do need to be prepared for unexpected changes in weather conditions.