Jazzbo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
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Unsure of what peak to bag on Saturday, I was waffling between Kinsmans, Willey Range, Jefferson, or North Twin. Prior to hitting the road at 5:30 AM I checked my PC and found myself staring at my PC’s desktop wallpaper and what did I see? I saw what I’ve been using for wallpaper ever since I looked at at Bob & Jeri’s pics of their January 2006 loop hike of Twins and Galehead. I was looking at a marvelous winter view of Franconia Ridge and Garfield and Galehead since January and I realized I’d never seen this view in person. That decided it. I‘d hike North Twin 8.6 miles out and back. I get to bag a new peak and be home in time for dinner with the family. Of course it’s July 1 – not January but why quibble?
Driving through Franconia Notch at 8:00 almost caused me to change my mind. Lafayette looked like an Emerald Castle in the early morning light. Low-level fog clouds drifted here and there in the bright blue sky. Looked like a great day to be in the mountains. Weather can also change a lot by the time you get up to a summit in the Whites as it eventually did.
I started at 9:05. Two hikers with sleeping bags attached to their packs started ahead of me. I caught up with them at the first stream crossing where they puzzled over how to cross. The water wasn’t real high, but high enough to make it impossible to cross without removing boots. I left my sandals in the car so I started rock hopping upstream looking for a better spot to cross. I don’t know if these guys took boots off or what because it wasn’t too long before I came across the old trail which was still in pretty good condition although with many blow downs. I soon spotted the place where the old fire warden road takes off. I walked up it a ways and it looked pretty good. Back on the trail I came to the second crossing and the two hikers were standing on the other side wondering how to cross. I yelled across the river that I followed the old trail. Possibly following my example they decided to bushwack up the west side of the river. Must have taken them a while because I didn’t see them again until I was on my way back down from the summit.
After pooping round with stream crossings, the climb to the summit was uneventful and went quickly. I reached the summit at 12:30. I encountered a second party near the summit. It seemed not too many people use this trail. I guess I was just early as I soon started meeting lots of other parties. Temperatures were perfect for hiking in the mid 70’s and it didn’t seem too humid. I didn’t use any bug juice. Never saw any mosquitoes or blackflies. Wonder where they could be? Not bad for July. The views from the view ledge proved hazy, but I loved every second of it. I watched a gray overcast cloud come in from the west that brought a brief shower. The sun returned by the time I was halfway to down to the Little River.
I met an interesting fellow named Dennis on the way down to Little River who was winding up a 15 mile loop of Garfield, Galehead, and the Twins. We walked together back to the trailhead and talking non-stop. He accompanied me as we skipped the extra stream crossings and stayed on the east side of the river. He and his wife recently moved to Littleton NH from Texas, but they’re originally from Pennsylvania. He’s a strong hiker and is racking up 4000 footers pretty fast. I told him to check out VFTT. He sounded interested. I hope he does.
Pics are here .... http://community.webshots.com/album/551898457uQhwcn
Driving through Franconia Notch at 8:00 almost caused me to change my mind. Lafayette looked like an Emerald Castle in the early morning light. Low-level fog clouds drifted here and there in the bright blue sky. Looked like a great day to be in the mountains. Weather can also change a lot by the time you get up to a summit in the Whites as it eventually did.
I started at 9:05. Two hikers with sleeping bags attached to their packs started ahead of me. I caught up with them at the first stream crossing where they puzzled over how to cross. The water wasn’t real high, but high enough to make it impossible to cross without removing boots. I left my sandals in the car so I started rock hopping upstream looking for a better spot to cross. I don’t know if these guys took boots off or what because it wasn’t too long before I came across the old trail which was still in pretty good condition although with many blow downs. I soon spotted the place where the old fire warden road takes off. I walked up it a ways and it looked pretty good. Back on the trail I came to the second crossing and the two hikers were standing on the other side wondering how to cross. I yelled across the river that I followed the old trail. Possibly following my example they decided to bushwack up the west side of the river. Must have taken them a while because I didn’t see them again until I was on my way back down from the summit.
After pooping round with stream crossings, the climb to the summit was uneventful and went quickly. I reached the summit at 12:30. I encountered a second party near the summit. It seemed not too many people use this trail. I guess I was just early as I soon started meeting lots of other parties. Temperatures were perfect for hiking in the mid 70’s and it didn’t seem too humid. I didn’t use any bug juice. Never saw any mosquitoes or blackflies. Wonder where they could be? Not bad for July. The views from the view ledge proved hazy, but I loved every second of it. I watched a gray overcast cloud come in from the west that brought a brief shower. The sun returned by the time I was halfway to down to the Little River.
I met an interesting fellow named Dennis on the way down to Little River who was winding up a 15 mile loop of Garfield, Galehead, and the Twins. We walked together back to the trailhead and talking non-stop. He accompanied me as we skipped the extra stream crossings and stayed on the east side of the river. He and his wife recently moved to Littleton NH from Texas, but they’re originally from Pennsylvania. He’s a strong hiker and is racking up 4000 footers pretty fast. I told him to check out VFTT. He sounded interested. I hope he does.
Pics are here .... http://community.webshots.com/album/551898457uQhwcn
