PETCH
New member
Galehead, South and North Twins via Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Twinway, North Twin Spur Trail, North Twin Trail.
Date: 9/26/09
Participants: Crazy Bob, Petch, John, Jim, and Dana
Trail Conditions: All trails fairly dry with just a bit of mud here and there. All stream crossings doable. No blow downs.
Commentary: Well Crazy Bob and I were able to hook up again. Like Starsky and Hutch, Abbot and Costello, Will and Grace
. Moving along...this time we added a few other comrades which allowed us a car-spot so we could make a loop hike. Sidenote: When the phrase "I'm doing the Twins this weekend" is used, one must first consider the immediate audience- so I have found.
Crazy Bob, myself, and Jim left the Windham area and picked up John in Fryeburg. Then off to the North Twin Trail trailhead to meet Dana who was driving from Lebanon. We dumped off a vehicle, and off to the Gale River Trailhead we went. 8:30am start with a nice level trail allowing for a nice warm up. I took to the rear of the group, because that is where "fat-boy" belongs. I edged out the nearest competitor by a couple pounds. Well, I'm not really fat, just heavy. Yea, that's sounds better.
The trail gets steep up to the Garfield Ridge Trail. A short jaunt later and you are at the hut. Stunning views from the hut. This is perhaps the best "weather" day I've had in the Whites. Unlimited views, sunny and cool, foliage at near peak, and no wind. Simply the best of all worlds. We took a quick break at the hut and met a rather cute spirited Jack Russell Terrier (see pics). The quick hike up and back to the treed summit of Galehead was fairly uneventful, but did offer a nice look-out along the way.
Back down to the hut to regroup for the climb up to South Twin. The climb was steep. I thought about the little dog, and how easy this trail would be for him with his light build and 4 paw drive. I struggled up the ridge, rock after rock, exhale after inhale. Like a wounded wildabeast being chased by lions struggling to stay with the herd, panting, cursing, ready to succumb to the impending fate........allright, allright it wasn't that bad.
Anyway, I haven't heard much about the views from South Twin, but if you haven't been up there, you gotta go. 360 degree views, with the Presi's, the Pemi, the Franconia ridge all in view. We spent some time just standing around pointing out all the peaks. Some of us debating which distant peak was which. Pretty insane views. I could have spent hours up there.
Back down into the trees and over to North Twin. A very nice outlook providing westerly views. Back down into the woods with a fairly steep descent down the North Twin trail. The trail then levels out with an assortment of stream crossings. Note to self: For the love of......stay away from this trail in the spring. Back down to the vehicle at 3:45pm, where Dana provided us with brews and jelly donuts. Yes, a strange combination, but perhaps the best tasting jelly donut I ever had. Flaky yet moist, sweet filling and just the right amount of confectionary sugar. The brew was good too. An entertaining ride in the back of the pickup to the the other trailhead. Felt just like the good old days riding in the potato fields of the Saint John Valley. A good crew and a good time. Thanx guys.
Hiking Stats: 12 miles, 7 hrs 15min
Slideshow ^
Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767
Petch
Date: 9/26/09
Participants: Crazy Bob, Petch, John, Jim, and Dana
Trail Conditions: All trails fairly dry with just a bit of mud here and there. All stream crossings doable. No blow downs.
Commentary: Well Crazy Bob and I were able to hook up again. Like Starsky and Hutch, Abbot and Costello, Will and Grace
. Moving along...this time we added a few other comrades which allowed us a car-spot so we could make a loop hike. Sidenote: When the phrase "I'm doing the Twins this weekend" is used, one must first consider the immediate audience- so I have found.Crazy Bob, myself, and Jim left the Windham area and picked up John in Fryeburg. Then off to the North Twin Trail trailhead to meet Dana who was driving from Lebanon. We dumped off a vehicle, and off to the Gale River Trailhead we went. 8:30am start with a nice level trail allowing for a nice warm up. I took to the rear of the group, because that is where "fat-boy" belongs. I edged out the nearest competitor by a couple pounds. Well, I'm not really fat, just heavy. Yea, that's sounds better.
The trail gets steep up to the Garfield Ridge Trail. A short jaunt later and you are at the hut. Stunning views from the hut. This is perhaps the best "weather" day I've had in the Whites. Unlimited views, sunny and cool, foliage at near peak, and no wind. Simply the best of all worlds. We took a quick break at the hut and met a rather cute spirited Jack Russell Terrier (see pics). The quick hike up and back to the treed summit of Galehead was fairly uneventful, but did offer a nice look-out along the way.
Back down to the hut to regroup for the climb up to South Twin. The climb was steep. I thought about the little dog, and how easy this trail would be for him with his light build and 4 paw drive. I struggled up the ridge, rock after rock, exhale after inhale. Like a wounded wildabeast being chased by lions struggling to stay with the herd, panting, cursing, ready to succumb to the impending fate........allright, allright it wasn't that bad.
Anyway, I haven't heard much about the views from South Twin, but if you haven't been up there, you gotta go. 360 degree views, with the Presi's, the Pemi, the Franconia ridge all in view. We spent some time just standing around pointing out all the peaks. Some of us debating which distant peak was which. Pretty insane views. I could have spent hours up there.
Back down into the trees and over to North Twin. A very nice outlook providing westerly views. Back down into the woods with a fairly steep descent down the North Twin trail. The trail then levels out with an assortment of stream crossings. Note to self: For the love of......stay away from this trail in the spring. Back down to the vehicle at 3:45pm, where Dana provided us with brews and jelly donuts. Yes, a strange combination, but perhaps the best tasting jelly donut I ever had. Flaky yet moist, sweet filling and just the right amount of confectionary sugar. The brew was good too. An entertaining ride in the back of the pickup to the the other trailhead. Felt just like the good old days riding in the potato fields of the Saint John Valley. A good crew and a good time. Thanx guys.
Hiking Stats: 12 miles, 7 hrs 15min
Slideshow ^
Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767
Petch
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