| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Twin, South Twin, Galehead, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Road Walk, North Twin Trail, North Twin Spur, Twin Way, Frost, Bushwhack, Garfield Ridge, Gale River, Road Walk, Ski Trails, Road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 11, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at 7 Dwarves. Leave $10 on the windshield.
Plenty of parking at Beaver Brook. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rolled up my pants and barefooted across the Little River water crossing. The log was too unstable for me, but I can see how others might use it. My feet warmed up real quick on the other side.
All other crossings were easy enough to get across. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The Gale River trail needs some work. From the TH, there are 3 major blow downs within the first 0.5 miles, ranging from a few inches of branches to much bigger and precarious multi tree pile ups.
About 1 mile from the trailhead leaves have clogged up water bars. I did my best to clear 3 or 4 of them up with poles and get the water moving, but some raking is needed.
From the 1 - 3 mile marks there are another 5 or so trees under 12" in diameter that will need to be cleared from the trail.
All can be navigated around, just in need of spring clean up. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Short version: Crossed the water in bare feet, wore spikes on solid monorail most of the day, and enjoyed better footing conditions than expected.
A big, big day that included a pole being washed away then magically catching on a rock, trying to bushwhack from Galehead to Garfield Ridge Trail, and of course, crossing the Little River in bare feet.
The road walk from 7 Dwarves is dry and fast. The first two miles of North Twin trail until the big crossing has some ice, but I barebooted the whole way.
Opted for bare feet and rolled up pants after 25 minutes of trying to be elegant about the crossing. The log wasn't for me, and no rock hopping options were presenting themselves.
Climb up to North Twin had crunchy snow and mud that turned into a surprisingly firm monorail. Spikes went on at 2500 feet and stayed on most of the day.
Monorail continued to be firm to South Twin, down to the hut and then up to Galehead, making for much faster travel than anticipated.
I've heard rumors of a bushwhack from Galehead to Garfield Ridge Trail. I didn't find any clear path, but I did make it down through the pines in better shape than I thought.
Gale River Trail continues to have a firm monorail and then quickly switches to a mile or so of navigable mud before being mostly dry and fast. The road walk and ski trails are in mostly good shape. |
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 | Name: |
Chad |
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 | E-Mail: |
chadwik66@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-04-11 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.instagram.com/p/DXASlHlkZm6/?img_index=1 |
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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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