26 September 2014: Mount Garfield

My next hike could not come soon enough – I wanted to do something slightly less aggressive trail wise so I talked Bishop X into doing Mt Garfield with me. I picked this one arbitrarily, I admit, simply because the distance and elevation change was average for what I would be seeing henceforth.

Peak Elevation: 4500 ft
Elevation Gain: 2961 ft
Trail: Mt Garfield Trail
Length: 10.1 mi
Time on Trail: 0840
Time off Trail: 1410

Parking for the trail is on Gale River Loop road, near the 5 corners intersection. If you have found the Gale River Trailhead, you’ve gone about 2 miles too far.
This trail, which I guess is classified as a Class 1 (EASY) trail, provided a good 2nd hike contrast for me ads I bagged my 2nd 4000 footer. I was still not in good shape so this was a welcome change from last time. Bishop X was almost don e his NH48 journey but was glad to get out and didn’t mind redoing this one as the cold weather prompted a slight bit of color change in late September. The trail has a few steep sections that are pretty short. The trail appears to follow an old logging/access road for a former fire tower at the summit.

This summit has great views into the valley below (Pemi wilderness) from its ledges that are still mostly bare. The foundation of the former fire tower provides good wind breakage if you need it, but on this warm day we baked in the sun eating a snack before descending.

Photos:

Mt Garfield 26Sep14

This is a backdated entry, made in 2017.

12 Sepember 2014: Mount Moosilauke

I had done a few 4000 footers as a boy scout but I am re-starting the list as I seem to have forgotten what peaks I did aside from the Franconia ridge, which I will not mind doing time and time again. One hike I did was just for the mileage – a lap AROUND owl’s head mountain for about 19 miles – to complete the merit badge.

My quest started when I let my friend Bobthelovegoat and BishopX convince me to come out with them one fine September day to bag Moosilauke. I had no idea what I was in for but I think I packed adequately for not having all the fancy gear most people do, nor the endurance for such an undertaking.

History: Mt Moosilauke is derived from a native tribal name for “Bald Place”, loosely translated.

Peak Elevation: 4802ft
Elevation Gain: ~ 3150ft
Trail: Beaver Brook Trail
Length: 7.6 mi
Time on Trail : 0745
Time off Trail: 1430ish

The trail is rated to be on what is called the “Terrifying 25”, due to the rugged steepness that mandated a sign at the trailhead as a warning to those unaware. Along the trail are numerous waterfalls and a few water crossings. The other neat features of the trail were wooden ladders and steps to aid hikers along the eroded or otherwise dangerous portions. About halfway up there is a shelter platform and a privy. Thanks goes to the Dartmouth Outing Club for maintaining that and the trails out here.

The summit once you broke the treeline was windy – the musty day we were out in proved to give us fog at the sumit until you got to the very top – once the fog rolled by we were sitting above the clouds, making for some neat photo ops. We were chilled from the wind, despite the rock wall we used to break said wind; so we ate a quick lunch and got off the mountain for my first 4000 footer. Needless to say, I'm hooked.

Photos:

Mt. Moosilauke  12SEP14

Note: This is a backdated entry made in 2017.