State: New Hampshire
Location: White Mountains National Forest
Length, One-Way: 5.1 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 1520 feet
Maximum Elevation: 4500 feet
Elevation Change: 3000 feet
Best Season: May to September
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: White Mountains National Forest Fee Site.
Rocky River Banks in New Hampshire
Trail Information
The Garfield Trail follows the old access road to the former Mount Garfield fire lookout. The grade on this trail is moderate except for the last steep ascent. There are good views from the summit of Mount Garfield and longer hikes can be made by following the Appalachian Trail in either direction.
From the trailhead, take the trail just past the fee station. The trail climbs a small ridge and then levels off. After 0.7 miles, the trail heads onto the old fire lookout road. This connecting trail was built to avoid crossing a major branch of the Gale River. At 0.9 miles the trail crosses Thompson Brook then almost immediately crosses Spruce Brook at the confluence. A short distance beyond this, it crosses a snowmobile trail and Spruce Brook again. The trail reaches Burnt Knoll at 2.8 miles. The trail begins to climb more steeply and traverses a series of long switchbacks, finally ending at the junction with Appalachian/Garfield Ridge Trail. Turn left here to head toward Garfield Ridge Campsite and Galehead Hut.
To reach Mount Garfield, turn right onto the Appalachian Trail and hike uphill for about 0.2 miles. The trail levels off at some rock ledges. Turn left here and climb the ledges uphill to the concrete fire lookout foundation.
Directions
From Interstate 93:
Take exit 35 off of Interstate 93 near Franconia Notch. Take US Route 3 north for about 4.9 miles to the west end of Gale River Loop Road (right). Take the left fork immediately then turn left across a bridge at 1.1 miles and continue 0.1 miles to the trailhead.
