Garfield Crag Climbing

Cross country skis and snow shoes are needed. From the Lincoln Woods parking on the “Kanc” go eight miles of cross country skiing until at Thirteen Falls Campground. Turn left and and follow Franconia Brook trail towards Mt. Lafayette. When trail crosses Franconia Brook (DON'T), keep heading straight on the old logging road through short pines. When logging road terminates to being mostly forest ahead there is a decent camp site opening near Franconia Brook.

Cliff is about 1 mile heading up on logging road west to start from camp. When slope gets steep and road ends go up north northwest. If slope doesn't get too steep after much snow shoeing you've missed the ledge and its likely west from where you are lost. I have never missed it but its also not easy to find. Much snow shoeing with no sight of cliff ahead. Deep snow drifts before cliff create trouble navigating footsteps and seeing. This is the right place and still no cliff will be in sight. Don't see until you can climb it usually.

[Admin’s NOTE- a slight variant to the above-described route was taken in summer. See DESCRIPTION in “TR Memorial Route”  / Garfield Crag / WM:Franconia Notch   R Hall ] 

This is longest and only way I have done by taking Lincoln woods old wilderness trail to Franconia Brook Trail turning right onto it to Thirteen Falls Campground.

Shortest distance to car parked 6-7 miles from RT 302. These are terrible miles over mountains. Shortest distance is by Garfield Trail to the A.T. follow it east to trail leading down to 13 Falls. Don't go to Falls, instead traverse across slope until crag comes into view. Another way is Gale Head Trail to Gale Head Hut and walk south down from hut to 13 Falls. Day trips from 13 Falls Campground would be another good way to do multiple day camping but much time would be taken up getting to cliff.

This is a protected wilderness coded area in NH. That means leave no trace, use no ribbon trail markers on trees, no permanent anchors, including pitons and fixed webbing on a tree.