Twins and Galehead- hike and bike

[marty]

Had a free day to do a big hike and sent out a thread earlier this week asking if anyone wanted to join me. The first reply came from VFTT member Roadtripper. We decided to do for the Twins and Galehead. Roadtripper smartly suggested that we do a loop and bike between the two trailheads. After getting two responses from other VFTT members that the bike part would be easy (thanks again, guys), we decided that was the way to go.

We parked at the N. Twin Trail parking lot and got on our bikes about 9:15 am. The 6.9 mile bike trip was quite easy. Locked the bikes and headed up Gale River Trail about 10:10 am, looking at the blue skies above.

The Gale River trail was easy for the first 2.5 miles or so. The river crossings were a breeze. It then got steep for a while, but onward we pressed, making good time. Got to the hut around 11:45, admired the abundant views and headed up to Galehead Mountain.

The hike up to Galehead was short and sweet. The great overlook on the way was a real treat. Headed back down and had lunch by the hut, hanging out near a group of about 7 Northbound AT Thru hikers, who were resting for their trip to Zealand Hut that day.

After lunch, we headed up South Twin. Yes, it was steep, but it was not as bad as feared. Got to the summit of South Twin and were treated to some AMAZING VFTT. South Twin is a special mountain. It was hazy, but we could still see most of the White Mountain summits very clearly. Hung out there for about 40 minutes, soaking in the sun and snapping photos.

Down the N. Twin Spur we went. This trail was quite easy and quick. Stopped briefly at both North Twin overlooks and then down the N. Twin Trail.

This trail has pretty good footing and descent was relatively easy. We then came to the three crossings of the Little River. While the crossings require some thought, they were all very doable today and we both did them with relative ease. Got to the trailhead around 4:50 pm, stopped to pick up our bikes and headed on home. Saw a Subaru with NH plates with a VFTT bumper sticker on I-93 around Franconia Notch. They must have thought we were crazy giving them thumbs up as we passed. It is possible they did not see the VFTT sticker on my silver truck, due to our bikes mounted on rear racks.

Roadtripper, I am very glad to finally meet you. I really enjoyed your company and look forward to hiking with you really soon.

Marty

 

[Tom Rankin]

Down the N. Twin Spur we went. This trail was quite easy and quick. Stopped briefly at both North Twin overlooks and then down the N. Twin Trail.

Marty

Do you remember if there was a cairn on the N. Twin summit? I'm going to be taking a flag up there on 9/11.

 

[HighHorse]

there is a small cairn on the summit of north twin... it's maybe knee high. for flags on the 48 it would probably be best for visibility to head to the outlook immediately to the west of the summit (which seems to be higher to me anyway) where there is NOT a cairn. that way you'll have visibility from galehead, south twin, garfield and just about all of franconia ridge (at the minimum- if it's clear of course).

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Nice report!

How was the upper part of the North Twin Trail, as last year it was terribly overgrown with vegetation?

Another version of your hike/bike route could include Garfield, which would about 3 extra miles, albeit a rough part of the AT, but another NH4!