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4,500 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Garfield

Mount Garfield is a 4,500 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Mount Garfield Trail: 9 mi, 2,998 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Garfield in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Garfield at a glance

  • Elevation4,500 ft1,371 m
  • RouteMount Garfield TrailClass 2
  • Distance9 mi2,998 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Mount Garfield Trail

From the Gale River Loop Road near Route 3, the Garfield Trail climbs at a steady grade to the open summit, where the concrete foundation of an old fire tower forms a natural viewing platform. Garfield gives one of the best sunset panoramas in the Whites across the Pemigewasset Wilderness and Franconia Ridge. The final approach is rocky and can be icy or wet. Start early for the long round trip and carry layers, since the exposed top catches wind. Often linked with Galehead and the Twins by ambitious hikers.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • GPS Device
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Light Gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • High winds
  • Storms
  • Low visibility
  • Cold summit conditions
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with Mount Garfield

Peaks near Mount Garfield

  1. Galehead Mountain

    Galehead Mountain

    4,024 ft · 1.9 mi away

  2. Mount Lafayette

    Mount Lafayette

    5,260 ft · 2.5 mi away

  3. South Twin Mountain

    South Twin Mountain

    4,902 ft · 2.8 mi away

  4. North Twin Mountain

    North Twin Mountain

    4,761 ft · 2.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Garfield?

Mount Garfield is 4,500 feet (1,371 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does Mount Garfield rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 4,500 feet, Mount Garfield is the 19th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Mount Garfield?

The Mount Garfield Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 2,998 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Garfield?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Mount Garfield Trail, covering 9 miles with 2,998 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mount Garfield?

The Mount Garfield Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 2,998 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Mount Garfield?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Garfield?

The Mount Garfield Trail starts at about 1,520 feet, roughly 2,980 feet below the summit.

Climb Mount Garfield with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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