Twins and Galehead I need some help!

donna · Mar 17, 2005

Hey all,
I'm planning to hike the Twins and Galehead on Saturday. I'd really like to hike via the North Twin Trail, head over to North Twin, then South Twin then Galehead and back the same route.

The map shows Haystack Rd off Rt. 3... Does any know if this road is open in winter to the parking lot for the trailhead?

A sense of direction is something I lack. Could really use some help with which trail to take and how to get there.

Thanks.

sapblatt · Mar 17, 2005

not sure but....

Donna -

Not 100 % sure on this one (but I am sure someone else will be) but I have never noticed any guide books or web pages mentioning that Haystack Road is closed in the winter.

Good luck!

MichaelJ · Mar 17, 2005

Haystack Road is most definitely closed in the winter.

The route you're thinking of doing has a LOT of excess climbing. It's 1000' straight up South Twin from Galehead Hut.

If you're going up-and-back, go up from the Galehead side of things. I believe the usual route is to go in from the Beaver Brook wayside area, cutting through the xc ski trails, coming out on Gale River Road to the Gale River Trail.

dr_wu002 · Mar 17, 2005

donna said:
Hey all,
I'm planning to hike the Twins and Galehead on Saturday. I'd really like to hike via the North Twin Trail, head over to North Twin, then South Twin then Galehead and back the same route.

Yikes, then you have to go back up South Twin after doing Galehead. That's a lot of extra elevation! Wouldn't it be easier to go in on the Gale River Trail and then up S. Twin & hit N. Twin and go back?

-Dr. Wu

sli74 · Mar 17, 2005

Donna,

BTW, don't know if you already have company for this trip but Meri was talking about hiking the Twins and Galehead this weekend so you may want to drop her an email, you guys may be able to meet up.

sli74

nartreb · Mar 17, 2005

road closed!

Note only is Haystack Rd closed, most maps don't show it (or other nearby roads) accurately. There's an easy bushwhack from Little River Rd, look for a couple of threads in Q&A at least a month ago for details. Still makes for a long hike.