Mount Garfield

Trails Used

Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

It was a tale of 2 seasons. We started in the rain. The road walk and first 1.5 miles of the trail was BARE GROUND. We may have had to relearn how to walk on it. About .5 miles from Halfway rock, the ice began. George continued to bare boot but I donned spikes. Beyond that point, the ice was more present with still some stretches of bare ground. There were many large stretches where the trail was a stream and very muddy. We gave up on staying clean or keeping our feet dry. There were also stretches where we could hear the water running under the packed snow on the trail. The monorail in those areas was very unstable. I busted through a few thin spots. Up higher the trail was more firm and held my weight well. The ice diminished as we got higher up and the snow depth is still impressive. The actual summit has a lot of bare rock. It felt like true spring conditions - a little of everything so bring a good sense of humor.

Parking

The winter lot before the gate was easily accessible but muddy.

Water Crossings

We took both snowmobile bridges on the ascent to avoid the water crossings, which were running high. On the return trip, George opted to cross the first one and was successful. Given that I am funsized and wimpy, I took the bridge. Both of us used the second bridge on the return trip.

Wildlife

Still in Hell

Trails Used

Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail,

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Great day on Garfield! Bare booted from gate for first 4+ miles when we added Microspikes/Hillsound Pro's as we continued on to the summit. The snow pack on the upper mountain was very firm. Kept the spikes on for the descent to the water crossings. The warm temps in the afternoon made for some mud on Gale River Rd.

Parking

Plenty of parking at gate at end of Gale River Rd

Water Crossings

All rock hop-able

Wildlife

not yet

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Gale River Road, Garfield trail, Garfield Ridge Trail/AT, Gale River Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Met just a couple other parties doing Garfield. Crossings were thoughtful. Snowshoes went for a ride for the first 6 miles...but were put to good use after that! I was glad to have lugged them; the trail was unbroken and the snow was deep enough that the trail sign is still at foot-level. The steep descent from Garfield was interesting with the stream flowing down several icy steps; someone had started to go this way and turned around. I pushed on and was glad I did, but it was tiring. I lost the ridge trail several times with all the schwacking above/under/around blowdowns. I opted to descend when I hit the Gale River Trail junction rather than tack on Galehead. All in all a good, long, quiet solo day!

Water Crossings

Crossings on Garfield trail were somewhat tricky, required scouting to find safest place to cross. The crossing on Gale River trail was much easier.

Trails Used

gale river road, garfield ridge

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Gale river road was easy peasy. Not much snow/ice. First couple miles on Garfield Ridge were almost completely bare. After the water crossings trail it's a mix of frozen postholed slush that broke under our feet (feet did not stay dry today but thankfully we both had fancy shoes and waterproof socks on), bare rocks with running water, and a barely noticeable monorail. There isn't much snow at all until higher up. Snow was frozen after the thaw yesterday/freeze overnight and there wasn't much ice to contend with. We stayed snowshoe & spike free the entire trip. Socked in, freezing cold summit so summit shots were taken down low as we peacefully blasted music that you'd have to cover children's ears when playing and ran back down not seeing another soul all day. Just 4 b*tches and the quiet sloppiness of shoulder season trails.

Parking

parking at the end of gale river was icy but passable

Water Crossings

First big crossing could have maybe been rock hopped if we had poles (my smaller pup went swimming because she was hot and then had to swim back) but we decided to use the bushwhack/snowmobile bridges. Both bridges the first time, on the way back we only used the second bride and rocked hopped the smaller crossing.

Trails Used

Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

The new snow today (3-6") combined with warmer conditions lower, and cold conditions up to made for a very tough day, but until the next storm there's a solid trail made by 3 humans in snowshoes. Go get it before the next storm and while the ice is all covered with snow again

Water Crossings

All were crossed carefully but easily

Trails Used

Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

3 fat bikers, one skier, two snowshoers, 4 in light traction After this next snowfall, be aware that once the narrow monorail begins there are several areas with deep snowshoe post holes on the sides. We wore K10s for the summit climb/decent and some form of better than light traction recommended by all in microspikes.

Water Crossings

Nothing is bridged. Used snow machine bridge on 1st; crossed with damp exposed rocks on 2nd