New overnight adventure

well...we hit 5 peaks (that's a biggie for us) this weekend...Bond, Bondcliff, W. Bond, Hale, and Zealand...unfortunately...doing this type of thing just got out blood up for doing something like this AGAIN!!! (Thanks Wadsgirl!!!!!!)

So...we have the twins, galehead, and garfield pending...and I SEE that they are kinda lined up.

What would be a suggestion for hitting these four with one overnight?

The only problem is that our backpacks (Mine at least) are WAY too heavy and don't fit as they should. I thought my shoulder/hips were going to fall OFF by the roadwalk from the Hale Brook trailhead to the Zealand Trailhead...so, if there is a way to DROP and lighten these stupid packs without hitting all FOUR peaks first...that would be great.

Thanks, as always, for the help.

To meet your criteria of minimal time carrying the full pack:

Thirteen Falls tentsite. Long but nearly-flat hike in from Lincoln Woods, set up camp, then quickly grab Garfield from the Franconia Brook Trail (double-check the distances and times to see if it's feasible for you). Next day, early start and up the Twin Brook Trail to grab the Twins & Galehead, back down to camp and back out to Lincoln Woods.

Or, head up the Garfield Trail, hit either the summit or the Garfield shelter, whichever comes first, then next day hike over to Galehead Hut, drop pack, hit Galehead, then use small pack to buzz up to S & N Twin and back, then down Gale River Trail.

That said, for either hike the S-N-S out-and-back is long. You're much better off traversing with the full packs if you can.

Or ... pay to stay at Galehead Hut. First day carry the packs up, it's not long and not difficult, drop the big packs at the hut and do the S-N-S out and back. Next day take the full packs over to Garfield, and down Garfield Trail, which is very mellow.

Skip the overnight, that's a fine loop to do in one day (from the north, skip the long approach from the south). There are campsites near the trailheads if commuting is a concern.

If you can spare the cash, consider staying at Galehead hut - no tent, lighter sleeping bags = lighter packs.

The other obvious overnight spot is Garfield ridge lean-to, but that divides your hike into rather unequal pieces.

13 falls is an option, you lose and regain elevation if you're coming from the north but the trails are very smooth and the campsite is very scenic, and it's equidistant from Galehead and Garfield.

The Twins and Galehead go together well. The Garfield Ridge trail between Galehead and Garfield is annoying in either direction, the Twinway from Galehead hut to South Twin summit is steep, and the water crossings at the base of the North Twin trail can be very challenging (though not right now). All of that is much easier without a heavy pack.

Well, one way to lighten your load considerably would be to stay at Galehead Hut. Hike in the Gale River Trail, drop sleeping bag and other extra gear at the hut. Hike to and from Garfield with light pack. If time, hike Galehead after dinner to catch the sunset. Next day do South Twin and North Twin and then return to the hut (summiting South Twin twice wouldn't be so bad). Pick up your stuff and hike back down Gale River Trail to the car. Doesn't make a nice loop, but it saves on the weight and no road walking would be involved.

Elizabeth said:

Well, one way to lighten your load considerably would be to stay at Galehead Hut. Hike in the Gale River Trail, drop sleeping bag and other extra gear at the hut. Hike to and from Garfield with light pack. If time, hike Galehead after dinner to catch the sunset. Next day do South Twin and North Twin and then return to the hut (summiting South Twin twice wouldn't be so bad). Pick up your stuff and hike back down Gale River Trail to the car. Doesn't make a nice loop, but it saves on the weight and no road walking would be involved.

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That option has worked well for me before.

(And, while some may grumble about the stretch of the Twinway between South Twin and the hut, I don't think it's that bad.)

If you do not wish to carry overnight gear and heavy packs, I say do these four peaks as two separate day trips. Garfield via Garfield Ridge Trail up and down, which at 10 miles round trip, can be done in a half day. Then, on the second day, begin at the Gale River Trailhead and hike Galehead and the Twins counteclockwise, which brings you out at the North Twin Trailhead in 12 miles total, with about 5 miles of dirt roads to walk back to your vehicle (could hide your packs and drive back to retrieve them). Or, you could lock a mountain bike to a tree at the North Twin Trailhead and one of you ride back to retrieve your vehicle, leaving the other person to guard your daypacks from marauding bears and mountain lions (just kidding about the mountain lions).

Dr. Dasypodidae said:

leaving the other person to guard your daypacks from marauding bears and mountain lions (just kidding about the mountain lions).

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are you?

Drive up night before and camp at one of the roadside sites on Gale River or Haystack Rd -- hike N Twin, S Twin, and Galehead. Utilize the AMC shuttle service to get back to your car at the N Twin TH on Haystack Rd. Daypacks, approx 12 miles. We did this loop in the opposite direction this past sunday in 7 hours with a break at the hut, on S Twin, and on N Twin. You do not need to carry a ton of water because you will be able to water up at Galehead hut. The water crossings on the N Twin trail are fine currently. You will need a WMNF window sticker to camp.

Camp again. Next morning, break camp, drive to Galehead TH on Gale River Rd. Out and back of Galehead. 10 miles round trip. Not a difficult hike. Leaves plenty of time and energy to drive back to Maine.

If you chose to motel it instead of free camp, there are many places in Twin Mountain -- as well as private campgrounds with showers, etc.

una_dogger said:

Camp again. Next morning, break camp, drive to Galehead TH on Gale River Rd. Out and back of Galehead. 10 miles round trip. Not a difficult hike. Leaves plenty of time and energy to drive back to Maine.

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You mean Garfield, right?

!

Dr. Dasypodidae said:

You mean Garfield, right?

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Yes I did! And thank you! I often make that mistake!!!! So sorry to cause confusion!