Garfield 6-27-09

[B the Hiker]

This was an AMC trip up the Mt. Garfield Trail. We debated going for two days before, given the forecasts of thunder. It was National Lightening Safety Awareness Week after all! But by Friday afternoon the forecast was reading 90% chance of rain, but nothing bad until mid-afternoon.

So after initially missing the entrance at Five Corners (which seems to have only four), we managed to see a moose crossing the road just before the trailhead parking lot. Tons of cars!

Tons of people! Saw a bunch of VFTT folks, including my friend Mardi (who I think goes by Fat Tuesday). Mardi had been holding on to a water bottle of mine since a hike we did last October, and I was happy to be reunited with once again after the hike.

En route up, it started raining quite heavily. Very cold water. We managed to get our rain gear on pretty much in time for the rain to stop again, of course. It rained once more on us, this time on the way down. We also had periods of sun. It was like that all day. First one thing, then another, although there was virtually no wind felt either on the trail or at the summit.

Interesting views at the summit. At times we could see the whole expanse of either the Pemis or the Bonds--but never both at the same time, and usually not for more than a couple of minutes before they disappeared into clouds or rising fog again. There was a moment when we were almost entirely encircled by sun but were under clouds ourselves.

Portions of the trail were small streams, but not too many. The Mt. Garfield Trail is in extremely good condition and has been maintained magnificently. Evidence of lots of recent trail work, ad whoever has been doing it has done a fantastic job of it.

On the drive back down we saw the biggest rainbow I have ever seen over Tilton. Perfect arch from ground on one side to ground on the other.


Brian

 

[Amicus]

Sorry we missed you, arriving after your group around 3:15 pm. I was helping a friend who is working on the NH 48. We too dithered, when we saw that the forecast, as of 4:30 that morning, had deteriorated to 60% POP and afternoon thunderstorms. I'm happy we went ahead with our hike, taking the No. Twin Trail to both Twins, then down to Galehead, over the Garfield Ridge Trail (with a short, wretched but interesting bushwhack to E. Garfield Ridge Peak, on the NE3K List, for good measure), up to the Garfield summit, then out by the Garfield Trail. That Trail may not be perfect, biut it seemed like the Yellow Brick Road after the G. Ridge Tr. and the Twinway, running down from So. Twin. I hate them both, esp. when wet, as they were yesterday.

We missed your showers. In fact, this was my third visit to Garfield, going back 25 years, and the first time I've had views there, which I now know are as good as advertised. Here is a shot I took of the Lafayette Ridge, from Lincoln south:

 

[rocket21]

Good to see you again, B the Hiker, as well as mtnpa and MadTownie. Didn't realize it was you I was saying hi to, Fat Tuesday, as I was leaving the summit! Didn't end up running into Amicus on the trail, but did pass him early in the AM whilst he was working on a car spot.

Despite the rain, I was certainly glad that we had views.

 

[Fat Tuesday]

this was the perfect hike to do in the rain. I loved the views we had up top- as brian described, clouds were in constant motion, creating a true "misty mountain" feel. great to be out with mike and peter and to bump into so many familiar faces-- brian, reji and other amc-ers. ROCKET! I am upset that I didn't actually get to meet you! when did I see you? At the junction at .2 or on the actual summit??

 

[rocket21]

ROCKET! I am upset that I didn't actually get to meet you! when did I see you? At the junction at .2 or on the actual summit??

I was leaving the actual summit...I think someone was asking you about getting a ride to the Skook?

 

[Mad Townie]

Rocket, don't quibble about details--if you can't WRITE the guidebooks, you can speak them!

A great day on Garfield, warm enough so that a T shirt wet from the rain could dry a bit without plunging its wearer into the depths of hypothermia. Gotta love those "in and out" views as the clouds flow into and through the Pemi. Good to meet B the Hiker and his AMC group on the way up. There really is NO answer to the question of whether to wear the raincoat or not on a day like that.

Thanks to Fat Tuesday and MtnPa for giving me a "run" for my money. Still, the rain wasn't all that wet, and it's interesting to see so many switchbacks on one 4.8 mile trail.

MtnPa and I followed this one up with a great, and dry, hike up the Edmands Path to Eisenhower on Sunday. Quite a few folks were out trying to beat the rain--I hope they did. I got plenty of it on the drive back to Maine.

BTW, if you stop for ice cream at Trail's End in Bartlett, be warned that their "small" cone is TWO fist-sized scoops! Toughest challenge of the day was driving and eating at the same time.

Thanks to MtnPa for his usual wonderful hospitality!