| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Twin, South Twin, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
North Twin, Twinway, Garfield Ridge, Gale River |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There was plenty of space at the end of Haystack Road at 7am. There were more cars at the Gale River lot at 4:30pm, as expected for a lot at a trail going to one of the huts, but still there were spots open. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
As the generally dry period continues, with less rain overall, the rivers have been easy to cross. The Little River, two miles in, had enough water flowing to make us think carefully, but we made it easily enough, over two different routes right by the trail approach, using a few only slightly submerged rocks. Poles certainly helped, as did waterproof footwear. Other "crossings" of minor streams over the day were simple by comparison. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trails were generally in good shape, with no real duck under blowdowns encountered. Some places have typical erosion from foot traffic. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None seen today, although the route up Gale River to the hut could be done by any competent trail dog. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Again, no repellent applied at the start or along the hike, and bugs were not noticed. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
An OTHH hike, with a smaller than typical group. Two of us started at 7am, and we didn't see anyone else on the North Twin trail until fairly high up, when we were passed easily by a sole hiker traveling light with a small back. The other two of us started later and caught up near the top of N.Twin. We made the 1.3 mile trak over to S.Twin mostly together, and along the way we encountered a number of others doing the out-and-back from S.Twin to bag North. They tagged up on North and beat us back to South, without packs, of course, and aided by being a small fraction of the age of even the youngest (ie. less old) of us. As we made our way down off South to the hut, we encountered the usual trickle of hikers coming up, mostly laden with heavier packs. Two of us dropped packs at the hut and bagged Galehead, while the other two of us took advantage of the opportunity to get a ride back to Haystack Rd by going down from S.Twin this way. The mileage would be about the same, we wouldn't have to regain N.Twin, and we wouldn't have to cross the Little River again. It was a long enough day even without Galehead, and I had been up there enough times already. Boy, does that lower couple of miles of easy walking out on the Gale River Trail go on forever at the end of a day! |
|
 | Name: |
Pappy |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-08-20 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
