Mt Garfield 12-28-13

[IQuest]

Just a quick trip up Garfield this past Saturday with Marlie via Gale River Loop Rd, Garfield Tr, and Garfield Ridge Tr. No point in reporting much on the trail conditions as they have most likely changed already. We bypassed the crossing of Thompson Brook by using the snowmobile bridge since the ice was about 2" thick and busted up. Spruce Brook was low and mostly frozen over. Getting an 8:15 start I was surprised to be the first one up the trail and to the summit, meeting just one other hiker on the way down. He had stayed at Garfield Shelter and was planning a trip over the Bonds to Lincoln Woods but a broken stove caused him to abort. On the way down we met about a dozen other hikers and a couple dogs. For a 12.4 mi hike this went by fast with nothing difficult and we returned to my truck in 5 hr 45 min. On a nice day I would reccomend this to anyone that is starting out winter hiking and can handle the 12 miles as it has gentle grades and affords fine views. Just not on this day.

Thompson Brook

Garfiled Tr

Marlie Making the Final Push to the Summit

Here are the rest of the pics: https://plus.google.com/photos/117581678131843187857/albums/5962882354332575153

NETC: http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=14962