Garfield Ridge West Peak rises to 3,668 feet on the southern flank of the Garfield Ridge inside the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Though it carries no maintained trail, reaching the summit requires only a short, relatively straightforward bushwhack from the Garfield Ridge Trail, making it one of the more accessible off-trail objectives on the NH Hundred Highest list.
Reaching the summit requires off-trail navigation; hikers leave the Appalachian Trail at the junction of the Franconia Brook Trail and the Garfield Ridge Trail and push directly into the woods. The terrain is wooded throughout with no summit views, but navigation is uncomplicated and experienced bushwhackers can tag the peak with modest additional effort while traveling between Garfield and Galehead Hut. The longer approach adds several miles on maintained trails, and most parties combine this with Mount Garfield or the full Garfield Ridge traverse. Map, compass, and GPS are recommended.
