“This was my first time alone on a mountain in the dark, and the experience was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. What would I encounter? Bears?”
This page is dedicated to sharing images from Chapter 20 of 4000s by 40. Garfield was the first 4000-footer where I got caught in the dark alone, and to be honest, it really spooked me at first. I touch on that a little here, but for the full story—the mistakes, the missteps, and the learnings—you can get the book [here]. And to go along with the photos below, I’ve added a quick retelling of events, along with quotes, to give a small sense of what you’ll find in the book. Enjoy!
The Garfield Trail
I’d climbed in the dark before, but not like this. My previous experiences were part of an organized climbing party, where we headed out at two or three in the morning to summit a large mountain, after camping out on the mountain’s slopes the night before. But this was different. I was alone and wasn’t camping. I was just climbing a mountain that would usually be no problem for a day trip, but I got a late start the day I climbed Mount Garfield and found myself still on the trail when the sun went down.
It was a creepy, spooky day. The lower sections of the trail reminded me of the Dagobah system from Star Wars, where Luke learns to harness his Jedi powers under the tutelage of Yoda. The earth was mossy and a low mist hang about the forest, masking the dark side of the force. Even though the weather was worse than the previous hike up Mount Hale, unlike Hale, I found this hike interesting. So, I didn’t mind the conditions, or the additional length endured. I think I knew before I set out that there was a good chance I might end up hiking in the dark this day, but it didn’t really start to hit me until I was a mile into it.
<Because of the conditions when I climbed it, Garfield is probably at the top of my “return-to” list when it comes to the 4000-footers. I’d very much like to see it on a clear day.
Expecting Yoda to pop out any second.
The Summit of Mount Garfield
At the summit of Mount Garfield is a stone foundation from an old fire tower, and when I went to sit upon it, a gust of wind forced me to brace myself on all fours. The winds truly felt strong enough to push me right off the mountaintop if I wasn’t careful. I wasn’t concerned yet though. Rather than making me nervous, the violent gusts made me feel more alive. I started to think of those videos where people rip air guitar in the middle of a windstorm, and hard rock music entered my mind. Fittingly, I was wearing a Tesla band t-shirt, and I took a rare selfie-picture to pay homage to the feeling of the moment.
The summit of Mount Garfield—it was cold and windy, and you couldn’t see nothing!
Descending Mount Garfield
Near the summit of Garfield is a spur trail leading to a campsite. For a while I heard voices coming through the fog, and when I reached the sign, I finally realized where they were coming from. A man and a woman were speaking, clearly meeting each other for the first time. What a spooky place to be alone with a stranger at night. Most everyone you meet in the mountains is delightful and good company, but still, on a night where the weather is cooked up for the likes of Michael Myers, no thanks.
Looking at the time, I saw that it was well after 7 and I only had an hour or less before it was pitch dark. I needed to move. Picking up my pace, I only stopped for a brief pause here and there to admire the truly unique. Like this puddle in the shape of Africa. You see it, right?
Tell me that doesn’t look like Africa.
Spooked in the Dark
As darkness fell, I started to worry more. This was my first time alone in the dark on a mountain adventure of this length, and the foreboding weather had me spooked. With Tesla still on the brain, I started singing every song I knew, as loud as I could. The louder I sang, the braver I got. I probably terrified the two campers at the Garfield Ridge Campsite though.
After a while, I felt comfortable taking my time and admiring the earth again. I stopped at a brook crossing and enjoyed the sounds—and the experience. How wonderful it is to get to do things like this. This hike opened my mind to the possibilities of other hikes to come, knowing I’d need to climb in the dark again to complete my goal…
“I have no doubt that the scariest thing in the woods was probably not an animal but a middle-aged man singing Tesla songs with a light beam shooting from his head.”
Reading in the Dark: 4000s by 40
If you like reading about mountains, the 4000-footers, and the ups and downs of getting “out there,” you can find more stories at 4000s by 40.
Looking for photos of more 4000-footers? Head back to the 4000s by 40 Visual Companion to explore the other peaks.
🧭 Ascent Details: Mount Garfield (4,500′)
Route: Garfield Trail to Garfield Ridge Trail
Distance: 10 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~2,970 feet
Trailhead: Gale River Loop Road (seasonal access)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Features: Gradual switchbacks, final steep push near summit
Summit: Open summit with 360° views, including Franconia Ridge (Provided it’s not socked in!)
Notes: No water on trail after lower crossings; exposed summit can be windy
Exploring Mount Garfield: Trail Reports & Peakbagging Resources
Even though the weather was poor, I really enjoyed this hike and am looking forward to getting back to it on a clear day. If you’re looking to climb Garfied, here are a few key resources to help:
- Peakbagger.com – Mount Garfield | – A great place to track your 4000-footer progress, log summits, and see detailed elevation data.
- 4000footers.com – I used this site a lot when learning routes for my first ascents of the 4000-footers. It provides clear details about the trail, how to get there, and a small map showing you the route.
- AMC Trail Maps – I have different versions that came with a more detailed trail book, but it’s always good to have a reliable map.
It can get gnarly up there! Have fun and be safe!