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Mount Garfield
Hiking Trail
Hard
3.46 mi
1,915 ft
Hike to the prominent overlook above the Grand Valley.
Mount Garfield is "the high point of the Book Cliffs, north of Grand Junction, and overlooking the town of Palisade,” according to [Wikipedia]( Though the mountain is relatively short in the grand scheme of Colorado peaks, this visible outcropping still serves as a popular objective for hikers and trail runners in the region.
The standard route to the top measures 3.4 miles round-trip and climbs a steep 2,000 vertical feet in the first half of that distance. Despite being such a short hike, it takes most people about 2-4 hours to complete. The steep grades and loose, steep trail make this a more challenging, strenuous ascent than you’d think.
Along the way to the summit, the trail passes a series of impressive boulder formations, an abandoned coal mine, and even some Native American petroglyphs. The views of the valley throughout the hike are also remarkable and are only topped by the views from the summit.
Once at the summit, you’ll enjoy stunning vistas of “valleys, orchards, and farmland,” and even "Mt. Sneffels over 100 miles to the south” on a clear day, according to [](
Sources:
[](
[Wikipedia]( Written by Greg Heil
Mount Garfield is "the high point of the Book Cliffs, north of Grand Junction, and overlooking the town of Palisade,” according to [Wikipedia]( Though the mountain is relatively short in the grand scheme of Colorado peaks, this visible outcropping still serves as a popular objective for hikers and trail runners in the region.
The standard route to the top measures 3.4 miles round-trip and climbs a steep 2,000 vertical feet in the first half of that distance. Despite being such a short hike, it takes most people about 2-4 hours to complete. The steep grades and loose, steep trail make this a more challenging, strenuous ascent than you’d think.
Along the way to the summit, the trail passes a series of impressive boulder formations, an abandoned coal mine, and even some Native American petroglyphs. The views of the valley throughout the hike are also remarkable and are only topped by the views from the summit.
Once at the summit, you’ll enjoy stunning vistas of “valleys, orchards, and farmland,” and even "Mt. Sneffels over 100 miles to the south” on a clear day, according to [](
Sources:
[](
[Wikipedia]( Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield Up AND Down | 3.60 mi | 1,893 ft | 0.1% |
| Bottom to Top of Garfield | 1.99 mi | 1,900 ft | 17.9% |
| Unnamed Rd Climb | 0.27 mi | 203 ft | 14.2% |
| Garfield Descent - Flagpole to Parking Lot | 1.80 mi | -1,864 ft | -19.5% |