| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Twin Mountain, South Twin Mountain, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Little River Road, snowmobile trail, North Twin Trail, herd path, North Twin Spur, Twinway, Frost Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail, Gale River Road, Beaver Brook XC ski trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Spotted a car at Beaver Brook, first two cars there at 530 AM. Parked at lot across from Seven Drawfs on Little River Road. Paid $10 in an envelop in mailbox at front door with brief itinerary per owners request. Can also leave envelop on windshield. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bypassed first two Little River Crossings, Last Little River Crossing on trees about 500 to 700 feet upstream, Gale River Trail crossings not an issue |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Snowmobile trail will need some fallen trees removed before snowmobile use. Miscellaneous fallen trees along the way, step overs or walk arounds |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw 2 extremely well behaved dogs along out descent on Gale River Trail. Owners were headed to both Twins.It was 100 PM at that point. Weather looked pretty frisky up top at that point. |
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 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
none, Saw one shoe at the kiosk at North Twin Trailhead. Sucks losing one shoe, might was well throw the other one out? |
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 | Comments: |
Road walk up Little River Road, crossed wood bridge and passed the old herd path, that had signs of foot traffic, up to the snowmobile trail. Snowmobile trail was nice and wide and even ground with a couple fallen trees to step over or walk around. Snowmobile trail to Haystack Road up to trailhead. It is 1.4 miles from Seven Drawfs to North Twin Trailhead. Left snowshoes at home based on latest trail reports. Bypassed first two Little River Crossings. Bare booted to about halfway between 1st and 2nd river crossing. A brook crossing had ice covered rocks, too early to get wet. Kathoolas and Hillsound Trail Crampon Pros on here until well down Gale River Trail. All signs of previous human foot traffic ended shortly thereafter. USGS stream gage date for East Branch Pemigewasset River in Lincoln in the morning indicated just below 300 CFS. Have been able to cross Little River prior with similar flow rates in Pemi at Lincoln.
At 3rd Little River Crossing, conditions were not favorable to cross with daring leaps of faith. Headed upstream, passed several questionable crossing locations until we found the two trees down across the river that have had limbs cleared, obviously used to cross before. Crossed here without getting wet and took a 100 foot bushwack straight up bank to North Twin Trail. Some sections of hard ice well below 3700, packed snow with increasing depths and spots of hard ice with elevation gain. Care needed to stay on packed "monorail". Had some great views at North Twin lookout. Deeper snow along North Twin Spur again with narrow monorail. Encountered fist of 16 humans at South Twin summit.
Going down Twinway to Galehead Hut had less ice than going up North Twin Trail. Ran into Trish Herr and daughters going down Twinway. Dropped packs at the Hut to hit Galehead. Met "Snowy" Marty, Larry, and Brent just below Galehead summit and rejoined them for a snack at the hut. Winds started to pick up going down Gale River Trail and snow was blowing across the summits at elevation. Good to not be heading that way. Snow depths decreased to trace. Gale River Trail could actually use some more packed snow to cover rocks and roots which made for a bit of a tenuous treck out. It is 1.3 miles from Gale River Trailhead to Beaver Brook trailhead.
A big thanks to Jim for joining to avoid an in and out from Beaver Brook. Saved a few miles. Great day to get these 3 for December. Comparatively speaking it was as good weather as could be expected for winter up there. |
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 | Name: |
Mark |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-12-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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. |
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