Garfield Peak is widely considered one of the premier hikes in Crater Lake National Park. With the trail starting directly behind Crater Lake Lodge, boasting epic views, and offering a legitimate mountain summit, it makes sense why it is so popular. That is what appealed to us, too. I would soon learn that my hike to the top would not be quite as fun as I had hoped.
Garfield Peak Trail Research vs. Reality
- Distance: 3.4 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: ~1,100 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous (Park rating) / Moderate (Distance/Elevation)
- Trailhead: Located just east of the Crater Lake Lodge on the paved promenade
I research all our hikes for both weather exposure and vertical drop-offs. AllTrails has thousands of reviews with almost no indication this trail might rattle anyone with an issue with heights. Most negative reviews come from people who visited when snow was still covering the path. A few reviews even explicitly state, “It’s not that scary.” That probably should have been my first clue.
For perspective, I have no problem looking over an edge with a solid railing. You can slap a harness on me and let me climb around a ropes course for hours without an issue. But put me on a crumbly trail along a steep drop-off with the wind picking up and people trying to squeeze past? No thanks.
The Reality of Hiking up Garfield Peak
The trail starts behind Crater Lake Lodge on a wide, paved path before turning to dirt.
It meanders through the trees and gains elevation until you reach a beautiful vantage point over the lake. If you want a great view without any stress, this is a solid turnaround spot.
From there, you continue through open switchbacks in the sun. I found the dirt to be dry and loose on much of the trail, the kind of surface where you really want solid traction to help you climb.
You will eventually pass an old stone shelter built into the hillside back in the 1930s.
Where the Trail Narrows
Right after the stone structure, the trail narrows and the steep drop-offs along the outer slope set in. This was the point where I seriously considered turning around. I even had to ask a hiker who was moving quickly behind me to wait until I reached what I felt was a safe passing spot. He was not thrilled, but he obliged.
Looking back at the photos, it seems laughable. The camera completely flattens the slope and makes it look like a mild dirt path next to some bushes. It does not show how crumbly the ground is, or how uncomfortable it feels when two people have to pass.
And yes, while I was over there shuffling, glued to the mountain and trying not to look down, there were literal kids skipping down the trail without a care in the world. My husband was completely relaxed, enjoying the walk, while I was calculating every single step. Sigh, at least I went, right? Even trekking poles did not help me feel grounded, and I was dreading the hike back down.
The trail does widen in spots after that, but there were two more tight sections with little room to get away from the edge. Not pictured as I was too busy watching the trail.
Garfield Peak Summit and What to Know
The summit at 8,054 feet delivers sweeping views of the entire caldera and Wizard Island, far better than the vantage point from the lodge.
We even had a friendly deer hanging around.
At the top, there is plenty of room to sit safely away from the ledges.
A few practical takeaways if you are considering this hike:
- Footwear is critical: Leave smooth-soled running shoes in the car. You want shoes with good traction to grip the trail and prevent slipping.
- Avoid snow and shoulder seasons: People have died from cornice breaks and snow slides on this peak. I would not attempt this trail if there is lingering snow or ice. Check with park rangers on current conditions before you head up, and do not push through bad spots.
- Know your limits: If you need a railing or a wide buffer to feel comfortable around heights, you will not enjoy the upper half of this hike.
The Hike Back Down
Ironically, the hike back down went far better than the climb up. There is a real mental advantage to knowing what you are up against once you have already seen the trail.
That is not to say I relaxed. I stayed as far from the edge as possible in the steep drop-off areas, and my “favorite” spot on the back side of the mountain was met with plenty of cautious shuffling to make sure my feet did not slide out.
The biggest challenge on the descent was the crowds had picked up, which meant negotiating tight passes with even more oncoming hikers.
Who Should Skip Garfield Peak
While thousands of people complete this trail every summer, you will probably not enjoy this hike if:
- You need a physical barrier or railing to feel secure near heights. The upper sections have little to no buffer between the narrow trail and steep, long drop-offs.
- You get nervous on loose footing. The trail surface is generally dry in the summer, but loose volcanic gravel covers sections of the path, making footing slick and uncomfortable.
- You dislike negotiating narrow spaces with oncoming hikers. When passing groups in tight spots, someone inevitably has to balance along the outer dirt edge.
- There is lingering snow on the trail. Even small patches of hardpack snow on these slopes transform an awkward walk into a genuine slide hazard.
Final Thoughts
For me, Garfield Peak joins Observation Point in Zion and the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon as one of my three most nerve-wracking trail experiences. While I completed both Garfield Peak and Observation Point, I would never do either again. South Kaibab was another story. I turned around and called it.