H
HikerBob
Guest
More in a good way that is!
I firmly believe the Twins are both underrated summits. The 360 views from South Twin are hard to beat and the North Twin trail, although steep in part, is a very pleasant trail.
We headed off at not quite 7:30am and the bugs were already biting, bug goo went on pretty soon.
The part of the trail that follows the Little River is very easy going and a treat for later in the day to retrace on tired soles.
The river crossings were all an easy rock hop. Waterproof boots meant dry feet. Given the width of the river's path and the damage to margin trees some 4-5 feet above bank level from water borne debris I can see why this might prove a challenge at high water!
Leaving the river behind the trail continues to climb at a steeper, but still moderate, angle through some interesting woodland. Once up out of the small brook valley we started to get an occasional breeze that was most welcome. Temps climbed from the 60's to the mid 70's during the day and the high, broken cloud helped keep things a little cooler.
I recalled there being a viewpoint ledge prior to the summit, but incorrectly remembed this as being at 4,200ft, not 4.2 miles as we discovered from another hiker. I said we would eat at the ledge so by the time we hit the first open spot I declared us there and we ate!
The blackflies were biting bad so before eating we put on more bug goo and zipped on the pant legs and tucked these into socks.
The view ledge proper was actually a few minutes further on and gave excellent views to the East. Karen had developed a hot spot so we applied some moleskin before it turned into something nastier.
We arrived at the junction with the view and North Twin spur trails at a clearing with a cairn and this offered a good spot for a summit pic. However, I am positive there is higher ground between there and the view ledges. Went over it anyway so feel I can honestly claim the summit
Number 14 for Karen (who still isn;t counting!) and number 46 for me.
The views from the summit ledge are to the West and are just amazing. Same mountains as from other Pemi viewpoints but with slightly different perspectives.
Had a second lunch break and just soaked up the views before deciding it was time to head down.
I'd seen several butterflies along the way but most were gone before I had the camera out. Then, one flew up right from our feet but when we stopped it came back to feast on a Clintonia flower. Couldn;t believe my luck so rattled off a few pics and a couple didn't turn out too bad. A very nice example of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Met quite a few people heading up as we made our way down. Serveral different people asked if it was much further, and then asked about the hut. They seemed unaware that they would also have to go over South Twin! At least they would have plenty of daylight.
As we got back down near the river the mosquitoes started to get more numerous so when we reached the first crossing I had us apply more bug off and put our head nets on. The head nets worked like a dream and while we could hear the bugs whineing near our ears we no longer had to dig them out!
Whether from the heat, or the pounding of the decent, we were both suffering from feet sore enough for a much longer trek. We were both thankful for the easy nature of the last couple of miles along the river.
I took a picture of my van from back in the trees and right after I'd put the camera away a white Jeep, the small kind with the top down, with three guys on board swung into the parking lot. They did a slow lap of the lot and seemed to be checking out the vehicles. I wished I'd had the camera out but they were in and out before I could get it out again. Looked very suspicious to me and in light of reports of trail head break ins I later reported it to the State Police in Twin Mountain.
I wasn't expecting much of this hike but was pleasantly surprised. The trail was a joy and the views from the top excellent.
Pics are up and can be found starting HERE
Bob
I firmly believe the Twins are both underrated summits. The 360 views from South Twin are hard to beat and the North Twin trail, although steep in part, is a very pleasant trail.
We headed off at not quite 7:30am and the bugs were already biting, bug goo went on pretty soon.
The part of the trail that follows the Little River is very easy going and a treat for later in the day to retrace on tired soles.
The river crossings were all an easy rock hop. Waterproof boots meant dry feet. Given the width of the river's path and the damage to margin trees some 4-5 feet above bank level from water borne debris I can see why this might prove a challenge at high water!
Leaving the river behind the trail continues to climb at a steeper, but still moderate, angle through some interesting woodland. Once up out of the small brook valley we started to get an occasional breeze that was most welcome. Temps climbed from the 60's to the mid 70's during the day and the high, broken cloud helped keep things a little cooler.
I recalled there being a viewpoint ledge prior to the summit, but incorrectly remembed this as being at 4,200ft, not 4.2 miles as we discovered from another hiker. I said we would eat at the ledge so by the time we hit the first open spot I declared us there and we ate!
The blackflies were biting bad so before eating we put on more bug goo and zipped on the pant legs and tucked these into socks.
The view ledge proper was actually a few minutes further on and gave excellent views to the East. Karen had developed a hot spot so we applied some moleskin before it turned into something nastier.
We arrived at the junction with the view and North Twin spur trails at a clearing with a cairn and this offered a good spot for a summit pic. However, I am positive there is higher ground between there and the view ledges. Went over it anyway so feel I can honestly claim the summit
Number 14 for Karen (who still isn;t counting!) and number 46 for me.The views from the summit ledge are to the West and are just amazing. Same mountains as from other Pemi viewpoints but with slightly different perspectives.
Had a second lunch break and just soaked up the views before deciding it was time to head down.
I'd seen several butterflies along the way but most were gone before I had the camera out. Then, one flew up right from our feet but when we stopped it came back to feast on a Clintonia flower. Couldn;t believe my luck so rattled off a few pics and a couple didn't turn out too bad. A very nice example of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Met quite a few people heading up as we made our way down. Serveral different people asked if it was much further, and then asked about the hut. They seemed unaware that they would also have to go over South Twin! At least they would have plenty of daylight.
As we got back down near the river the mosquitoes started to get more numerous so when we reached the first crossing I had us apply more bug off and put our head nets on. The head nets worked like a dream and while we could hear the bugs whineing near our ears we no longer had to dig them out!
Whether from the heat, or the pounding of the decent, we were both suffering from feet sore enough for a much longer trek. We were both thankful for the easy nature of the last couple of miles along the river.
I took a picture of my van from back in the trees and right after I'd put the camera away a white Jeep, the small kind with the top down, with three guys on board swung into the parking lot. They did a slow lap of the lot and seemed to be checking out the vehicles. I wished I'd had the camera out but they were in and out before I could get it out again. Looked very suspicious to me and in light of reports of trail head break ins I later reported it to the State Police in Twin Mountain.
I wasn't expecting much of this hike but was pleasantly surprised. The trail was a joy and the views from the top excellent.
Pics are up and can be found starting HERE
Bob
![Yellowstone National Park [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51kGuJ72qjL._SL500_.jpg)
![Grand Teton Day Hikes and National Park Map [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41DB0jvRnbL._SL500_.jpg)
![Grand Canyon, North and South Rims [Grand Canyon National Park] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/419Y-ycyVUL._SL500_.jpg)
