Galehead-Garfield Loop

Trip Summary

Galehead elevation: 4,024 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Views: None at the summit; Ok from nearby overlook

Garfield elevation: 4,500 ft

Difficulty: Garfield Trail is Easy; Garfield Ridge Trail has one Difficult section

Views: Excellent; 360 degrees

Total distance: 14 miles

Estimated time: 8-10 hours

Note: This loop hike can be done in either direction, but I would recommend doing Galehead first and finishing on Garfield with its incredible views. 

To park at the Garfield Trail trailhead, just before you cross the bridge over the Gale River, there is a right turn onto a dirt road marked only by a White Mountains trail parking sign. Follow this road for 1.2 miles over 3 wood bridges. The road will turn to the left, and then immediately on the right is a small roadside parking lot.

To park at the Gale River parking lot, from Rt. 3 North turn right on the unmarked dirt road opposite Trudeau Rd and the Bethlehem Visitors Center sign. After 0.6 miles stay to the left at the fork, then after another 0.7 miles turn right. You will find the parking lot in 0.3 miles on the left.

Galehead Mountain
At the east end of the parking lot is the trailhead for the Gale River Trail. It is an easy straight shot with a very gradual incline for quite a ways. The trail is marked by blue rectangles, but not always well marked. You cross many little tributaries, sometimes on manmade bridges.

At about 3 miles there is a clearing in the trees going down to the river which offers a nice view up to North Twin Mountain.

The last half mile or so when you're climbing the side of the ridge, it gets steep and is basically a rock staircase. At the top you'll intersect with the Garfield Ridge Trail and go to the left toward the Galehead Hut.

This section is less steep, but still a rocky scramble. After 0.6 miles you will intersect with Twinway and Frost Trail. Go to the right up to Galehead Hut. This is a good place for a rest, buying a snack, refilling your water, and using a proper bathroom. Since this is part of the Appalachian Trail and the Pemi Loop, it can be busy at times.

View from the Galehead Hut

The Frost Trail continues out the other side of the Hut from where you entered. From here it is only a short half mile to the peak. In only 100 yards the Twin Brook Trail will continue straight, but go right to stay on the Frost Trail.

Trailhead from the Galehead Hut

Intersection with the Twin Brook Trail

There is a muddy section, then a short steep rocky section. Go past the outlook and continue along a flat section a short ways to the wooded summit. There are no views here, but a cairn (more like a pile of rocks) marks the peak.

Go back the way you came and now take the time to check out the overlook across to the Twin Ridge.

Views to the east and south (click to enlarge)

Then return down to the Galehead Hut and back down the Garfield Ridge Trail. At the intersection, to return to the parking lot go right down the Gale River Trail. To continue to Mount Garfield, go straight on the Garfield Ridge Trail.

Mount Garfield
The Garfield Ridge Trail is marked by white rectangles. It starts off with some steep rocky sections up to a bare rock viewpoint that looks back to Galehead and South Twin. The next section has a few rock slides but is mostly flat like a typical ridge trail. According to the topographical map you go over a few small peaks, but you don't even notice. The Franconia Brook Trail will come in from the left. This goes into the Pemi Wilderness and the 13 Falls Tentsite. Continue straight on the Garfield Ridge Trail.

Bald rock with a viewpoint

Franconia Brook Tr. intersection

This next half mile is the most steep and difficult section of the hike. At one point you will have to climb hands and feet up a steep rock scramble with streams of water coming down. (Note: This section might be cause enough to flip this hike around, if you'd rather go down instead of up.)

Looking back down the steep waterfall

The Garfield Ridge Campsite is off to the right at the top of the waterfall. Continue 0.2 more miles up the steep, rocky trail. The Garfield Trail will come in from the right. Go up to the left for 0.2 mi to the peak (Note: the trail continues along the ridge to Mt Lafayette). It's a steep rock climb which then opens to a large bald area. There is a cement foundation from an old fire tower marking the summit.

Trail to the summit

Views to the North and Northwest (click to enlarge)

Views to the East (click to enlarge)

Views to the South and Southwest (click to enlarge)

To descend, go back down the last 0.2 mi you came up. Then continue straight down the Garfield Trail for 4.8 miles. The trail is marked by blue rectangles. It's a fairly gentle descent with a few switchbacks down the side of the mountain. It can get fairly soggy at places with the runoff water. After the switchbacks the trail widens and straightens out to follow an old fire road for quite a ways. After crossing a foot bridge, the trail narrows back to a footpath out to the parking lot. Hopefully you can catch a lift from a fellow hiker back to your car.

Official Trail Map: (click to enlarge)