Hiking in the White Mountains: Skookumchuck Trail

Date of Hike: 6/16/14

Skookumchuck: 4.3 miles / Garfield Ridge: 6.6 miles / Greenleaf Trail: 3.8 miles
Total Miles: 14.7 miles (5,900 feet elevation gained)

Trip Report:
- Denise invited me to go on a hike with her and her friend Marc. We had a big day, basically doing an out and back of Lafayette and Garfield. Not too many hikers would take on this challenging route, considered to be a sufferfest because of the Garfield Ridge Trail part. However, we had incredible weather and took our time and enjoyed every second of the hike. We were even joined in by Kyle for the last part of the hike, he met up with us at Greenleaf Hut.

Skookumchuck Trailhead Kiosk

Skookumchuck Brook

It was a wet spring = lush green forest!

Gaining the ridge

Mount Garfield

Cedar Brook Hancock Slide

Bondcliff

Franconia Ridge

Mount Lafayette

Mount Truman and Lincoln

Mount Liberty and Flume

Owl's Head

Marc and Denise

Pemi Wilderness as seen from Mount Garfield

Galehead Hut

Franconia Ridge

Bondcliff

Owl's Head

Osceola

Galehead and South Twin

Alpine Zone!

Garfield Cliffs

Mount Garfield

Garfield Ridge Trail

Dogs on Lafayette

Mount Lafayette

North Lafayette

Eagle Lake and Greenleaf Hut

Lonesome Lake

North and South Kinsman

Garfield Ridge Trail

Bondcliff

Hiking along the Garfield Ridge Trail

Cairn!

Ski Cannon!

Greenleaf Trail

Woof Woof!

Eagle Lake and Mount Lafayette

North Lafayette

Route for the day, click here for details

Date of Hike: 7/14/13

Greenleaf Trail: 3.8 miles / Garfield Ridge Trail: 0.8miles / Skookumchuck Trail: 4.3 miles
Total Miles: 8.9 miles (3,500 elevation gain)

Trip Report:
- On Sunday, I headed to the Greanleaf Trail to hike up with Bob for a quieter approach up to Mount Lafayette's summit.
- I've only been on the lower section of the Greenleaf Trail once before, so I was excited to get back on it. To get to the trail you park at the Cannon Mountain tramway lot, head underneath I-93, take a left onto the northbound ramp, and within a few feet you turn right off the road and onto the trail which leads into the woods.
- The hike up was a hot and humid one with Dusty leading the way. The Greanleaf Trail passes by Eagle Cliff which is pretty impressive and then through a pretty moss covered forest. There are not many views along the trail but the footing and grades are easy to moderate making for a pleasant hike to the Greanleaf Hut.
- Bob, Dusty, and myself took a nice long break at the hut before heading into the thick clouds and fog above treeline up to the summit. I was happy there were thick clouds and fog, it kept the temps cooler and the sun at bay.
- We made it up to the summit around noonish and relaxed for a half hour before our friend Kelsey showed up. There were lots of people and dogs at the summit, it was a dog petting zoo!
- After relaxing for a few minutes we headed north on the Garfield Ridge Trail to the Skookumchuck Trail. The clouds started to lift at times creating some decent views but overall we were in the clouds. The weather did break but not until we were below treeline.
- It was the first time I was on the Skookumchuck Trail. I liked it, although the lower half seemed to never end. It's a pretty trail in spots as it heads through open woods in one section. Other than that it's your standard White Mountain Trail, some rough footing with roots and mud.