Shuttle or Hitch Help

[ChacoTaco]

Hey gang. So I don't think Im in any violation of forums rules, if I am, sorry. Im planning a 3-4 day from Gale River to Highland Center starting morning of Friday 4-20-12. My plan is to be at Highland Center by Sunday afternoon hopefully by 4:00. Is there anyone that could help me out with a ride? Is hitching out Crawford Notch an issue? If its not a big deal, Ill just thumb it back to Either Haystack Road or Gale River Trail Head. Im new to NH and don't have all of the parking lot or road knowhow so whatever works. Im pretty set on this section because I could nab quite a few 4,000 Footers. I have done the section of the ridge and the AT sections, just not with a car. So if any of you guys have any sound advice for a New England noob let me know please and thank you!

Obviously Ill compensate anyone for a chunk of their time

 

[MichaelJ]

I just want to make sure you're aware that both Haystack Road and Gale River Road are still closed from the winter. You have to walk from Rte 3 to the trailhead. They may or may not be open by the 20th. Keep an eye on the WMNF Road Status page.

 

[ChacoTaco]

I just want to make sure you're aware that both Haystack Road and Gale River Road are still closed from the winter. You have to walk from Rte 3 to the trailhead. They may or may not be open by the 20th. Keep an eye on the WMNF Road Status page.

1.6 to Gale River and 1.2 if I decided to go in from Garfield. I don't mind the extra walk.

Should I start at the Highland Center and just hike to over Garfield to Skookumchuck? Would I be more likely to get a hitch or help with a ride from there to get back to Highland? Reality for me is that I can stay out an extra half day if I needed to.

After doing some other calculations, I figured I could do Highland To Ethan Pond, Ethan Pond to Guyot, Guyot to Garfield with North Twin on the side. Then out Monday down Garfield Trail and somehow get back to my car.

 

[MichaelJ]

There are a huge number of options, but I'd plan on the possibility of slow travel due to rotting snow. Conditions will vary as some routes are less-used in the winter (such as A-Z between the Willey Range Trail and the Zealand Trail, Twinway from Guyot to South Twin and from Garfield to Skook) compared to other heavily-used trails.

My biggest advice is this: get a ride to your starting point, and hike back to your car. In your case, go to the Highland Center, where you've probably got decent odds of picking up a ride, and have them take you to your starting point.