There were clear skies in the morning as four of us drove over from Subsig cabin on Rte 302. We were all very excited at the idea if seeing the views from the top (as it were) from beautiful Garfield.
I lack a map with me as I write this, so others can pipe in to add the names, but the winter route to Garfield involves some odd parking. We were told not to park in the lot at the end of the road (although we did see one car there), and instead park across the street on Rte 3 about .3 miles away. Quite a number of cars there when we arrived around 9:30am on Sunday morning.
The walk up the road was quite warm. 56 according to my friend's thermometer on his pack, but that was after a few minutes in direct sunlight on a windless morning at ground level.
There are *two* bridges out (we were told three), and the crossings were easy (but see notes later!), and one bridge still there. After the third crossing one comes to a gate and the road ahead goes straight up the hill or left. After turning left the Mt. Garfield Trail is just a few hundred yards ahead on the right.
We could have barebooted, as a group of three ahead of us did, but we put on snowshoes for the entire hike up and down and we happy about it. The trail is quite packed out at this point, although still felt loose and easy on the feet coming down and we did spot a few places where a bare booter postholed quite deeply.
Met a dozen folks who were ahead of us, including one group of familiar faces who must have a few members on VFTT. Met two groups of two each coming down early who had backpacked up on Saturday and reported seeing no views the entire time they were up there.
We too saw nothing at the summit. Nothing, like a big gray sheet was spread out before us. 24 at the summit, with a light but steady breeze. Spent most of the time climbing up in nothing but a wicking shirt until near the summit.
Now, here's the key thing. When we got back down, the road on which we walked in had numerous bare spots and just a light coating of snow on it. The sun and the warm temps really took did a number on it. Certainly couldn't be skied that afternoon. Our concern was with the crossings, which didn't give us any reason for concern. But putting aside the snow on 1/18/10 and perhaps on Tuesday, the temps for the week look to have highs around or above freezing, which sun midweek. So please use caution if crossing the streams the following weekend, as they may be compromised.
Other than that, the trails were in generally good condition. A couple of blowdowns, some big, but none really too much of a hassle.
All the best,
Brian
I lack a map with me as I write this, so others can pipe in to add the names, but the winter route to Garfield involves some odd parking. We were told not to park in the lot at the end of the road (although we did see one car there), and instead park across the street on Rte 3 about .3 miles away. Quite a number of cars there when we arrived around 9:30am on Sunday morning.
The walk up the road was quite warm. 56 according to my friend's thermometer on his pack, but that was after a few minutes in direct sunlight on a windless morning at ground level.
There are *two* bridges out (we were told three), and the crossings were easy (but see notes later!), and one bridge still there. After the third crossing one comes to a gate and the road ahead goes straight up the hill or left. After turning left the Mt. Garfield Trail is just a few hundred yards ahead on the right.
We could have barebooted, as a group of three ahead of us did, but we put on snowshoes for the entire hike up and down and we happy about it. The trail is quite packed out at this point, although still felt loose and easy on the feet coming down and we did spot a few places where a bare booter postholed quite deeply.
Met a dozen folks who were ahead of us, including one group of familiar faces who must have a few members on VFTT. Met two groups of two each coming down early who had backpacked up on Saturday and reported seeing no views the entire time they were up there.
We too saw nothing at the summit. Nothing, like a big gray sheet was spread out before us. 24 at the summit, with a light but steady breeze. Spent most of the time climbing up in nothing but a wicking shirt until near the summit.
Now, here's the key thing. When we got back down, the road on which we walked in had numerous bare spots and just a light coating of snow on it. The sun and the warm temps really took did a number on it. Certainly couldn't be skied that afternoon. Our concern was with the crossings, which didn't give us any reason for concern. But putting aside the snow on 1/18/10 and perhaps on Tuesday, the temps for the week look to have highs around or above freezing, which sun midweek. So please use caution if crossing the streams the following weekend, as they may be compromised.
Other than that, the trails were in generally good condition. A couple of blowdowns, some big, but none really too much of a hassle.
All the best,
Brian
