My first hike of the year, a good one up to Galehead Mountain. 12.5 miles with 2700' or so elevation gain (Strava failed me on this one, didn't record the descent), starting from Beaver Brook xc ski area, Gale River Road walk, Gale River Trail, AT, Frost Trail to summit. I filed a report over on NETC, there hadn't been any reports in a few days prior. Had a bit of fresh snow, maybe trace to 1/2" inch at lower elevations, including some patches of mud and water. Then more snow right where it gets steep below the AT, at around 3000', so I put on snowshoes to top, and back down to a lower elevation later. 1-3" new snow up top. All crossings were rock-hops, lacking ice bridges, but also with low water.
It certainly wasn't a great day for views, but there were some glimpses here and there. The summit of Galehead was clear when I was at the Hut, but I couldn't see South Twin, and only bits of the ridge going towards Guyot. Absolutely no view down into the Pemi Wilderness. As you all may know, the Galehead summit has a newish clearing, with sawed off small trees, about 10 meters from the summit cairn. Temps were in 20s, mild wind with occasional gusts, very light snow at times - all much less than I expected after reading the dire MWObs forecast (called for hurricane force winds, 50mph at trailheads, etc).
Saw no one all day. I guess it was breaking trail, but with just a little powder it wasn't too hard. A bit odd in a way to follow one's own tracks all the way down. The only other boot prints were a set on the Gale River Road at the end, and then also on the way out, a couple of boot tracks in the xc ski loop. It was a peaceful day in nature, with beautiful surroundings. #32 for my Winter 48, and my 4th summit of this mountain - had last been up it in late summer with my kids, a very different day with many conversations, sun and heat, food at the hut, etc.
Excellent dinner after (well, they're always good after a hike) at Twin Barns in North Woodstock, good beer from their brewery and good food. And a good stay at the Notch Hostel, with a bunch of interesting folks from all over. Someone had done a Pemi Loop the day before, others were skiiing, snowboarding, hiking things big and small.
Some photos:
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It certainly wasn't a great day for views, but there were some glimpses here and there. The summit of Galehead was clear when I was at the Hut, but I couldn't see South Twin, and only bits of the ridge going towards Guyot. Absolutely no view down into the Pemi Wilderness. As you all may know, the Galehead summit has a newish clearing, with sawed off small trees, about 10 meters from the summit cairn. Temps were in 20s, mild wind with occasional gusts, very light snow at times - all much less than I expected after reading the dire MWObs forecast (called for hurricane force winds, 50mph at trailheads, etc).
Saw no one all day. I guess it was breaking trail, but with just a little powder it wasn't too hard. A bit odd in a way to follow one's own tracks all the way down. The only other boot prints were a set on the Gale River Road at the end, and then also on the way out, a couple of boot tracks in the xc ski loop. It was a peaceful day in nature, with beautiful surroundings. #32 for my Winter 48, and my 4th summit of this mountain - had last been up it in late summer with my kids, a very different day with many conversations, sun and heat, food at the hut, etc.
Excellent dinner after (well, they're always good after a hike) at Twin Barns in North Woodstock, good beer from their brewery and good food. And a good stay at the Notch Hostel, with a bunch of interesting folks from all over. Someone had done a Pemi Loop the day before, others were skiiing, snowboarding, hiking things big and small.
Some photos:
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