4,500 ft | Garfield | 2 routes
Feels like 69°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.09" (24h) · 0.10" (48h)
~3.8°F drop per 1,000ft
Mount Garfield is showing DANGEROUS conditions
See exactly why with full AI conditions — hazard alerts, gear recommendations, and the best hiking window.
See Full ConditionsBest Hiking Window
Wednesday afternoon, once the trough clears and high pressure begins building. Winds should ease and showers taper by mid-Wednesday. Trails will be wet and muddy following the storm system, so expect minor mud and slippery rocks even in the best Wednesday window. Thursday conditions remain unsettled with moderate rain showers forecast.
Trail: Pemi East Side Trail, bushwhack, Osseo Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Twin Brook Trail, Frost Trail, Twinway, West Bond Spur, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Standard (almost) Pemi Loop from Lincoln Woods. This is the easiest loop, and it's still possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. I took the East Side trail about 1.7 miles and then broke toward the river to cross. Look for the spot where the river is straight and wide, with a large eroded dirt cliff on the far side. This cliff is directly at the end of the Osseo Trail. I crossed toward the downstream end of the cliff and was never more than thigh deep. The water is cold and moving pretty fast. I'd recommend poles or a stick for balance. Once I hit the shore, there was a trail of orange tapes leading up to the LW Trail. Turn RIGHT and you'll see the Osseo in a hundred yards or so. I left my wet shoes there for the return trip, but you might consider carrying them so you can cross farther up (less water) on the way back. I wouldn't recommend a barefoot crossing, and would consider scoping/trying out the crossing(s) on a day when you are not doing the hike. I spent a lot of time and energy on that. Crossing back when it's dark and you're tired will be difficult.”
Trail: Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Skookumchuck Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“In all my travels, I’ve never hiked the dreaded Garfield Ridge Trail, so it was time to see for myself. Parked at Skook and caught the AMC shuttle to Gale River, then up Gale River Trail, across the ridge with a stop at Garfield, down Skookumchuck. Tempted to add an up-and-back to Lafayette, but wasn’t in the cards today. It was my first time on Skookumchuck, and the well-placed rocks on the lower portion were a welcome surprise! Weather was sunny and warm all day - layers stayed in the pack. Also experienced a hiking first - encountered close to 100 other people, but not one all day traveling in my same direction. Lots of folks doing Pemi Loops and such ahead of the Lincoln Woods closure. Had Skookumchuck all to myself to end the day. Fun climbing conversation with a trio of New Yorkers on the shuttle. Go Knicks! We agreed the Dean Potter documentary HBO is a must-watch.”
Trail: Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Most of the trail is dry surface. There is some mud here and there. The most mud is in the switchback sections at higher elevation on the Garfield Trail. None of the mud is significant. Not much for wildflowers in bloom. Great views from the summit ledges. Many hikers out today including one day Pemi Loopers, multi day Pemi Loopers, one AT thru hiker, and lots of day hikers. Had a nice conversation with a RI couple on the summit. Many Maine hikers on the trail.”
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth, Mt. Washington Avalanche Center, USGS Stream Levels, OpenWeather Air Quality.
AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
Prominent peak with Garfield Ridge Campsite nearby. Features excellent views of Franconia Ridge.
Elevation
4,500 ft
Range
Garfield
Rank
#17 of 48
Difficulty
Difficult
Coordinates
44.1872, -71.6107
Been to Mount Garfield?
Be the first to share your experience!
3 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
Bree Wagner, 41, of York, Western Australia
Around 3:15 p.m. Sunday August 7, 2022, Wagner slipped on wet rocks on the Garfield Ridge section of the AT and injured her lower leg, unable to bear weight. Her partner called 911; rescuers carried her out via the 7.9-mile Skookumchuck Trail in hot, humid conditions, reaching an ambulance at 11:30 p.m.
Cal Zeizler, 20, of Indiana
Zeizler became separated from his hiking partners on the Pemigewasset Loop; they reported him missing around 10:30 a.m. May 19, 2021. Conservation officers and an AMC hut construction crew searched along the route. At 7:30 p.m. a hiker located him uninjured about 0.1 miles from the Garfield Ridge Tent site and he was able to hike out.
Two 19-year-old males from Saco, Maine
Two hikers attempting the Falling Waters/Bridle Path Loop mistakenly took the Garfield Ridge Trail from the summit after encountering strong winds, then realized they could not exit before dark without proper equipment. They called 911 at 4:00 PM and Conservation Officers directed them to the Garfield Trail and escorted them out, reaching the trailhead at 7:20 PM. The hikers lacked gear to travel after dark or spend the night in winter conditions.