TDawg
Well-known member
It had been a few weeks since my last hike up the Osceolas in early June. So the mountains were calling my name pretty loud.
My father had talked up Garfield quite a bit after hiking it and camping at the site a few years back with his buddies. And I have also heard nothing but good things from all you folks and the guide books as well. So I thought it would be a good place to bring a relatively new hiker, my girlfriend Becky. Her last 4kers (and first) were up the Kinsmans (mid-May) in a freakin cloud and snow, no views to be had. Although she did think it was "cool" to be in a cloud. I was surprised at what a good sport she wa about it because I was a little dissappointed because I had been in many clouds and it isn't as good as a clear day as many would agree.
But anyways, back to Garfield. So, I wanted to get her hooked on hiking with a spectacular view. And Garfields summit didn't dissappoint what-so-ever. And also I figured the relatively gradual trail up and down would be easier on her hiking bootless feet. She hiked in sneakers but now owns a pair if boots from my attic.
So we get to the trail head kind of late, around 11 or so. Being July 4th weekend I had to leave a keg party early (12am) the night before just to be able to function and hike. So waking up in the morning was tough but managable. We start in up the Garfield trail at 11:15 and after about a mile or two in I look up and about 30-40 yards ahead of us on the trail were two good-sized female moose. Or at least I thought they were female because they weren't sporting any kind of antlers. Although I could be wrong because maybe it's not the season for males to grow antlers??? Any input on this is welcome...
So Becky had never seen a moose before so she says, "So, that's what they look like?? I replied with a chuckled and "Yep, thats them." She later said they were kind of cute and she thought they would be "fatter" like a cow maybe? I was lovin it, it was funny. We only got to view them for a little bit, maybe a minute or two before they noticed us and ran away into the forest. I also forgot I had my camera with me until the last second as they were running away so I missed the photo op.
The rest of the hike up to Garfield Ridge Tr. was pretty non-eventful with a couple easy rock hop's across Spruce and Thompson Brooks. It seemed like it took a long time to finally reach the Garfield Ridge. Maybe because of all the switchbacks following the old tractor route. But we finally made it to the ridge trail, banged a right, and scarmbled up the only challenging .2 miles up to the summit.
As we scarmbled up onto the summit I hear Beck from behind me, "Wooowwwwww." She was right, the clear, sunny day made for a great view from a very good perch at the head of the Pemi Wilderness. Smith and Dickerman's book says to stay a while on a nice day, and that is what we did for sure. We quicky mad our way around the fairly crowded summit and found a secluded spot on a flat ledge a little south of the summit, where we stayed for 2 HOURS. We ate lunch, layed out in the sun for a while, took pictures, talked, she had me name all the mountains loking over the Pemi Wilderness, we called our friend Christina,who has never seen a moose and is obsessed with spotting one, for Beck to rub it in that she saw one first, but only left a short message. I think I even fell asleep at one point for a couple minutes. It was great up there on Sunday.
Also, I had a pair of binoculars and looking at Bondcliff through them was pretty cool. We could also see the smoke from that stupid cog train that pollutes the view of the tourist trap we all know and love as Mt. Washington.
After layin around for a couple hours we went up the old lookout cabin foundation and had a nice gentleman take a few pics of us and we were on our way down. The decent was pretty non-eventful as well. Just good conversation and her asking questions about the trees, rocks, etc...I did my best to answer. I pointed out a big chunk of Kinsman Quartz Monzonite. No wildlife on the way down except for a chipmunk here and there and a couple's friendly Chocolate Lab who walked up to Thompson Brook and proceeded to lay down right in the middle. He looked pretty tired out. It was good for a laugh because he just flopped right over on his side making a splash and I thought I hear him say, "Ahhhhhh".
But we made it down in 2 hours at 5pm or so and went straight to Woodstock Station for a bite to eat and some fine NH ales. Yum Yum. Then drove to her place in Chelmsford, MA for her to shower and change then back to my place in Westborough, MA for the night. Slept pretty good I'd say.
All and all a very enjoyable day spent with my girl. She said she had a good time and I think I've got her hooked on it!! Gotta love a pretty girl who hikes right?? Shes a keeper!!
Definatly making it back to Garfield again...#17/48
My father had talked up Garfield quite a bit after hiking it and camping at the site a few years back with his buddies. And I have also heard nothing but good things from all you folks and the guide books as well. So I thought it would be a good place to bring a relatively new hiker, my girlfriend Becky. Her last 4kers (and first) were up the Kinsmans (mid-May) in a freakin cloud and snow, no views to be had. Although she did think it was "cool" to be in a cloud. I was surprised at what a good sport she wa about it because I was a little dissappointed because I had been in many clouds and it isn't as good as a clear day as many would agree.
But anyways, back to Garfield. So, I wanted to get her hooked on hiking with a spectacular view. And Garfields summit didn't dissappoint what-so-ever. And also I figured the relatively gradual trail up and down would be easier on her hiking bootless feet. She hiked in sneakers but now owns a pair if boots from my attic.
So we get to the trail head kind of late, around 11 or so. Being July 4th weekend I had to leave a keg party early (12am) the night before just to be able to function and hike. So waking up in the morning was tough but managable. We start in up the Garfield trail at 11:15 and after about a mile or two in I look up and about 30-40 yards ahead of us on the trail were two good-sized female moose. Or at least I thought they were female because they weren't sporting any kind of antlers. Although I could be wrong because maybe it's not the season for males to grow antlers??? Any input on this is welcome...
So Becky had never seen a moose before so she says, "So, that's what they look like?? I replied with a chuckled and "Yep, thats them." She later said they were kind of cute and she thought they would be "fatter" like a cow maybe? I was lovin it, it was funny. We only got to view them for a little bit, maybe a minute or two before they noticed us and ran away into the forest. I also forgot I had my camera with me until the last second as they were running away so I missed the photo op.
The rest of the hike up to Garfield Ridge Tr. was pretty non-eventful with a couple easy rock hop's across Spruce and Thompson Brooks. It seemed like it took a long time to finally reach the Garfield Ridge. Maybe because of all the switchbacks following the old tractor route. But we finally made it to the ridge trail, banged a right, and scarmbled up the only challenging .2 miles up to the summit.
As we scarmbled up onto the summit I hear Beck from behind me, "Wooowwwwww." She was right, the clear, sunny day made for a great view from a very good perch at the head of the Pemi Wilderness. Smith and Dickerman's book says to stay a while on a nice day, and that is what we did for sure. We quicky mad our way around the fairly crowded summit and found a secluded spot on a flat ledge a little south of the summit, where we stayed for 2 HOURS. We ate lunch, layed out in the sun for a while, took pictures, talked, she had me name all the mountains loking over the Pemi Wilderness, we called our friend Christina,who has never seen a moose and is obsessed with spotting one, for Beck to rub it in that she saw one first, but only left a short message. I think I even fell asleep at one point for a couple minutes. It was great up there on Sunday.
Also, I had a pair of binoculars and looking at Bondcliff through them was pretty cool. We could also see the smoke from that stupid cog train that pollutes the view of the tourist trap we all know and love as Mt. Washington.
After layin around for a couple hours we went up the old lookout cabin foundation and had a nice gentleman take a few pics of us and we were on our way down. The decent was pretty non-eventful as well. Just good conversation and her asking questions about the trees, rocks, etc...I did my best to answer. I pointed out a big chunk of Kinsman Quartz Monzonite. No wildlife on the way down except for a chipmunk here and there and a couple's friendly Chocolate Lab who walked up to Thompson Brook and proceeded to lay down right in the middle. He looked pretty tired out. It was good for a laugh because he just flopped right over on his side making a splash and I thought I hear him say, "Ahhhhhh".
But we made it down in 2 hours at 5pm or so and went straight to Woodstock Station for a bite to eat and some fine NH ales. Yum Yum. Then drove to her place in Chelmsford, MA for her to shower and change then back to my place in Westborough, MA for the night. Slept pretty good I'd say.
All and all a very enjoyable day spent with my girl. She said she had a good time and I think I've got her hooked on it!! Gotta love a pretty girl who hikes right?? Shes a keeper!!
Definatly making it back to Garfield again...#17/48
