Galehead Hut in White Mountains

TRIP DATE:      9/13/13 – 9/14/13                

TRIP LOCATION:          Galehead Hut – White Mountains                 

WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n):  N (Rescheduled from Memorial Day Weekend 5/25 – 5/27/13)

MEETING TIME: 9:00 am                   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 6         

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 12 hours   

LENGTH IN MILES:      12.1 mi.

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    3678 ft.

DIFFICULTY:      B                             (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):       Leslie  Carson

CO-LEADER NAME(S):             Maureen Kelly

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    North Twin Trailhead off Haystack Rd. Twin Mtn., NH

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:    Yes, Gale River Trailhead    TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 20 min.

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  Yes     

IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

Hiked up North Twin Trail, fairly wet and muddy. Had a significant river crossing – 4 people went across the river by scooting along a log and two others took off boots and waded across the river. Foggy with no views at North Twin summit, but it was “Flags over 48” day in the Whites so several people were at the summit with the US flag. We celebrated Karen Singleton’s completion of her 48^th 4K footer with cheers, pictures and champagne. We continued to hike on North Twin Spur to South Twin mtn. (no views) then down Twinway trail to Galehead hut. Had a lovely turkey dinner at the hut with many other people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Karen’s birthday was on Sunday.

On Sunday after breakfast, we hiked up to Galehead mtn. and had gorgeous views. It was a beautiful sunny, bright day with lots of visibility. A perfect fall day although it technically wasn’t fall yet. We could see for miles. Hiked back to the hut, grabbed our gear and had a lovely hike down the Gale River trail to the cars.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:  Saturday was overcast, drizzly. Sunday was sunny and beautiful.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

This hike was rescheduled from Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, not all the participants who signed up in May were able to participate in this hike. They were refunded their money. Secondly, the original hike was for 3 days, two nights at Galehead hut, self-service, with group meals. The original plan included hiking North and South Twin, Galehead and the Bonds. We were given a credit from AMC and had to use it before the end of the calendar year. I was disappointed that we were unable to reschedule during a self-service season without getting too late in the season and the cost for one night with full service at the hut was, in my opinion, very expensive ($124). I believe the cost was prohibitive for some people. I do not plan to lead overnight hikes to the huts when in full service on a weekend in the future.