Fortunately, our annoyances were over. The trail now went off through a very pretty leafy forest, with golden sunlight streaming down all around through leaves that had all mostly turned to a rusty orange color. In short order we arrived at the Gale River trailhead.
Gale River Trail Trailhead
I changed back into my runners (which I had brought along for the walk back along the road, and which were also useful because my leather boots had finally started to let the water in from the day's wet hiking), and we started off west along the road.
courtesy JInnes
Back at the car 9 hours after we left. A beautiful day, but not without its mental challenges!
Interactive Trackmap & Photo Points - Garfield / Galehead loop - Click map to expand
Start Time:
4:41a.m.
End Time:
1:44p.m.
Duration:
9h2m
Distance:
23.3 km
(14.48 mi)
Average Speed:
2.6 km/hr
(1.6 mph)
Start Elevation:
1516ft
(462m)
*
Max Elevation:
4525ft
(1379m)
*
Min Elevation:
1516ft
(462m)
*
End Elevation:
1566ft
(477m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
4016ft
(1224m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
3980ft
(1213m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph