NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Galehead Mountain, South Twin Mountain, North Twin Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Beaver Brook XC ski trails, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Twinway, North Twin Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking at the Beaver Brook Recreation Area off Route 3. This was plowed upon my return at ~1:30 PM. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The lower crossing on the Gale River Trail was open but an easy rock hop; the upper crossing (between 2.0 and 2.5 miles from the trailhead) was solidly snow bridged, but I wouldn't count on this lasting for long. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: 1 minor stepover near the trailhead on the Gale River Trail; minimal or no blazing in the 1.7 miles before the Gale River reroute, but it would take a conscious effort to lose the trail here. Trails generally in excellent shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Snow fleas in places. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Spectacular day for this out-and-back hike of Galehead, South Twin, and North Twin. There were a few passing clouds obscuring the summits as I climbed Galehead, but by the time I neared South Twin, I enjoyed clear blue skies, relatively warm temperatures, and light winds. Jacket was unnecessary- I hiked in just a base layer almost the entire day. I managed to use snowshoes from start to finish, and though there was a snowshoe trench visible, there were a couple inches of fresh snow on top of the previous tracks. There was essentially zero ice- only a couple of minor, largely avoidable patches on that notorious Twinway ascent of South Twin. North Twin Spur between the Twins was soft, unconsolidated snow, with a few 2-foot-deep postholes from some poor soul who had previously tried to go through there without snowshoes. It was in pretty good shape when I finished the out-and-back, but snowshoes were definitely necessary. By the time I returned to the Twinway, I discovered that much of my hard work on snowshoes had been replaced by glissading. I could still get down it expediently while staying on both feet, but this might turn into an icy luge track if there are future melt/freeze cycles. I ran into 6 other hikers on my trip back to Beaver Brook, using an even mix of microspikes and snowshoes. The Gale River Trail was a bit choppy on the way out, but had been consolidated enough by then that it shouldn't be too bad. Also, there was very little snow remaining by the last 2-3 miles of the return trip. Sections on the lower Gale River Trail, along with the road and Beaver Brook XC ski trails, might not have snow by tomorrow.

Check out Unnecessary Climb for an expanding collection of hikes in the White Mountains (and beyond), and details on a few climbing-oriented bike rides as well if you're so inclined. Pun intended.  
Name
Name: Jason 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kurlando7@hotmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-03-16 
Link
Link: https://unnecessaryclimb.wordpress.com 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved