Location and surroundings
Mount Garfield belongs to the Appalachian Mountains > Northern U.S. Appalachians > White Mountains > Franconia Area > Franconia Range chain. It lies in Franconia, Grafton County, in the state of New Hampshire, United States. In the state it ranks 34th by elevation, and in the Franconia Range it sits in the upper group of summits without being the highest.
The mountain is part of the White Mountains’ rugged ridge-and-valley landscape, with steep slopes, forested lower ground, and higher open terrain near the crest. Its south side drains toward the Franconia Branch of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, while the north side drains toward the Gale River system. The ridge setting links it closely with neighboring Franconia peaks and the long Appalachian Trail corridor.
Neighbouring peaks
- Flat Top Mountain — 987 m, 1.8 km north
- Galehead Mountain — 1,227 m, 3.0 km east
- Mount North Lafayette — 1,519 m, 3.6 km southwest
- Big Bickford Mountain — 992 m, 3.6 km west
- Mount Lafayette — 1,600 m, 4.0 km southwest
- Southwest Twin Mountain — 1,328 m, 4.3 km southeast
- Scarface Mountain — 850 m, 4.4 km northwest
- South Twin Mountain — 1,491 m, 4.5 km east
The nearest higher peak is Mount North Lafayette, which rises to 1,519 m and lies 3.6 km southwest. Compared with the surrounding summits, Mount Garfield is lower than the main Franconia giants to the southwest and east, but it still forms a prominent point on the ridge between them.
The view from the summit
From Mount Garfield, the highest peaks within 25 km are part of the same White Mountains skyline. To the southwest, Mount Lincoln lies 5.1 km away at 1,551 m, and Mount Lafayette is 4.0 km away at 1,600 m. To the east, North Twin Mountain is 4.5 km away at 1,452 m, while farther east Mount Bond is 7.4 km away at 1,432 m. More distant high points include Mount Eisenhower 21.6 km east and Mount Monroe 24.2 km east.
The range
Mount Garfield is part of the Franconia Range, which has 19 named peaks. The range’s highest peak is Mount Lafayette at 1,600 m, about 4 km southwest of Mount Garfield. Within that range, Garfield ranks 7th by elevation, placing it among the higher summits but below the main crest leaders. The Franconia Range is one of the better-known parts of the White Mountains, with closely spaced peaks and long ridge walks.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for the summit area suggest a warmest-month mean of about 13 °C in July and a coldest-month mean of about -12 °C in January. At summit level, mean temperatures are above freezing in May, June, July, August, September and October. The surrounding area receives about 1,200 mm of precipitation a year, with about 125 mm in June and about 65 mm in January. In this part of New Hampshire, weather can change quickly, with fog, strong wind, rain, winter snow, and icy rock on exposed ridges.
Best time to visit
For most hikers, the most practical season is from late spring through early autumn, when summit temperatures are more likely to stay above freezing and the ridge is usually free of deep winter snow. The months with mean temperatures above freezing at the summit are May through October, which also covers the main hiking season in the White Mountains. Even then, the mountain can be wet and windy, so layers and rain protection are useful. Outside that period, snow, ice and short daylight make travel much more demanding.
Nature and wildlife
The lower slopes of Mount Garfield are typically covered by northern hardwood and mixed forest, giving way to conifers and then thinner, harsher vegetation near the ridge. In the White Mountains, hikers may see spruce-fir forest, mossy ground, rocky outcrops and, higher up, exposed alpine-like conditions shaped by wind and cold. Wildlife in this region can include deer, black bear, moose, small mammals and many forest birds. The drainage into the Pemigewasset and Gale River systems also reflects the mountain’s role in a wet, forested watershed.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Mount Garfield, a certified guide is usually not necessary for experienced hikers in good conditions, but it can be useful in winter, poor visibility, or when snow and ice make route-finding harder. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club. Established guiding companies in the country include RMI Expeditions and Exum Mountain Guides, as examples of where visitors often look for mountain services.
Guided ascents in the United States usually include route planning, local conditions, and instruction on movement and safety; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and equipment needs.
Safety and preparation
Mount Garfield is a ridge mountain in a cool, wet mountain climate, so preparation should match changing weather, steep ground and possible exposure. Good footwear, layers, rain protection, navigation tools and enough food and water are important. In shoulder seasons and winter, ice and snow can make the route much harder than the elevation suggests. For emergencies in the United States, call 911; dispatchers will alert the local search and rescue team.
History and name
The mountain is known as Mount Garfield, and it also carries the name The Haystack. Other recorded forms of the name include transliterations used in different scripts. The summit lies on the ridge line crossed by the Appalachian Trail, the long-distance National Scenic Trail running from Georgia to Maine. The mountain’s drainage divides also connect it to two different river systems, one flowing toward the Gulf of Maine and the other toward Long Island Sound.
Interesting facts
Mount Garfield is the 7th highest of the 19 named peaks in the Franconia Range and the 34th highest of 1,740 named peaks in New Hampshire. Its nearest higher peak is Mount North Lafayette, 3.6 km away to the southwest. The range high point, Mount Lafayette, is 4 km southwest. The Appalachian Trail crosses the summit, making it part of one of the best-known long-distance routes in eastern North America.
FAQ
How high is Mount Garfield? It reaches 1,345 m above sea level.
Where is Mount Garfield? It is in Franconia, Grafton County, New Hampshire, in the United States, within the White Mountains.
Which range does Mount Garfield belong to? It is part of the Franconia Range in the White Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains.
What peaks are close to Mount Garfield? Nearby summits include Flat Top Mountain, Galehead Mountain, Mount North Lafayette, Mount Lafayette and South Twin Mountain.
Is there water on the way to Mount Garfield? The mountain’s slopes drain into river systems, but on the ridge you should plan to carry your own supply. For a day hike, 1.5-3 litres is a sensible range depending on heat and route length.
How long does it take to climb Mount Garfield? A rough estimate depends on your starting point, pace and conditions. From a typical trail approach in this terrain, allow extra time for steep ground and weather changes.
Will my phone work on Mount Garfield? Coverage in the hills is often patchy and depends on the operator. On open ridges it may be better, while in valleys and behind ridges it can fail. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.