A check of the weekend weather and I decided to hike on Saturday to avoid the heat that was forecast for Sunday even though there was a possibility of showers this afternoon. I'm not a fan of heat and humidity so given the choice I'll hike on the cooler day. Saturday looked like a good day to hike up North Twin (4,761') and over to South Twin (4,902'). My route would take me up the North Twin Trail over the North Twin Spur and back down the same trails for an out and back hike.
It was a nice, cool morning when I left the house. In the first few miles of the drive to the trailhead I saw the full moon setting over Mount Terrace, a nice sunrise over the Mahoosucs and a young bull moose in a mud hole beside the road. A great way to start the day!
I arrived at the trailhead parking lot at the end of Haystack Road and was the first one there but not for long. Within a minute another car pulled in beside me. I expected to be swarmed by a cloud of black flies when I stepped out of the car but was pleasantly surprised when there was not even one there to greet me. The hiker that pulled in beside me was doing a car spot and waiting to be picked up to start her hike from another trail. I would have the trail to myself for the 4.3 miles up to North Twin.
As I started my hike the only concern I had was the water crossings. The Little River was running slightly higher than normal due to some recent rain. There are three crossings and I planned on doing just the last one avoiding the first two. So as I passed by the official crossings I just kept going up beside the river using the herd path. These crossings would have been difficult without getting wet. The third and final crossing was also looking tricky. I went upriver a little ways and found a birch tree across the water with a smaller tree below it. I held onto the birch tree and stepped across on the lower tree without any problem. I picked up the main trail again and was on my way with dry feet.
The trail became very wet with flowing water on some sections. It was getting warm so I removed my lower pants legs and put on a short sleeve layer. The trail dried out as I gained elevation. I came to the first open ledges on North Twin and had some great views. The high clouds appeared to be moving out and there was a good breeze blowing. Black flies were still not a problem. A few photos and I made my way to the summit of North Twin. I took the spur path to the outlook for some first views into the Pemigewassett Wilderness.
Back at the main trail I saw a hiker and his dog coming up to the junction, it was Nate and Piper. I have met Nate on the trail before and I follow his hiking adventures. Today they were doing the loop around to Mount Hale. We talked for a few minutes then he and Piper were on their way. They were out of sight in a matter of seconds.
There were some good stretches of mud along this section of trail in between some ledge and boulder scrambling. I even saw some small patches of lingering snow. I started seeing more hikers. They had stayed at Galehead Hut last night. I made my way up to the summit of South Twin where there was a nice, brisk breeze waiting for me. I thought about putting on a long sleeve layer but there was plenty of sunshine and that felt warm. Black flies were trying to come out but the wind kept them down.
I spent some time on the summit taking photos and eating lunch. It was a great day for basking in the sunshine and I almost had the summit to myself with only the occasional hikers passing by. I would like to have stayed longer but there was 5.6 miles ahead of me on the hike back out. I picked up my pack and started the hike toward North Twin.
It was getting warm by now with a temperature hovering around 70°F. Even though I was descending I would soon have to ascend North Twin and it would be a warm climb. It was up and over north Twin without any problem and all downhill from here. The descent went well and I was passing many hikers that were on their way up. Back at the water crossing I used the same two trees and made it to the other side of the Little River with dry feet again.
Another 1.9 miles and I was back at the trailhead parking lot. This was a very enjoyable hike today. The trail was in good shape, river crossing was manageable, black flies were tolerable, temps were comfortable and there were no afternoon showers. I needed the Twins for the month of June and my 3rd round of the 48 4,000 footers. It was a great day to be hiking in the White Mountains!
Enjoy the pics!
Full moon setting over Terrace Mountain
Sunrise
A young bull moose beside the road
At the trailhead
The hike starts here
On my way up the North Twin Trail
Lots of painted trillium along the trail
Little River
Did not cross here
Brook crossing
Tree that marks the beginning of the Fire Warden's Trail to Mount Hale
Little River is slightly higher than normal from recent rain
Another brook crossing
Lots of water flowing in brooks that are normally dry
Another view of the Little River
And another brook crossing
River crossing up ahead
This is the usual river crossing but not today
Crossed the Little River with the help of these trees
Hobblebush still blooming
Painted trillium growing up through a spruce bough
Mount Washington
View from North Twin Trail
An obstacle in the trail
North Twin outlook
Observation tower on Cannon Mountain
Galehead Mountain and Galehead hut down below
Galehead Hut
View from the outlook
Looking over to South Twin the next destination
Zooming in on the summit of South Twin
Met Nate and Piper on the trail
On my way to South Twin
South Twin
Summit of South Twin
Smiley tree
Small patch of remaining snow beside the trail
Muddy stretch of trail
South Twin summit right up ahead
Mount Washington in the distance
Loon Mountain and Scar Ridge to the left
On the summit of South Twin
Mount Garfield
Zooming in on the summit of Mount Garfield
Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette
Zooming in on the summit of Mount Lafayette
Summit cairn
Starting the hike back
North Twin in the distance
North Twin up ahead
Up and around this ledge
Looking down the ledge
More rocks to climb up
Last view from the trail
Rocky and wet trail
Another painted trillium
A bog bridge over mud
A fast moving brook has spilled over onto the trail
Back at the Little River water crossing
My crossing of choice
Lots of fast moving water on the Little River
Back at the trailhead after 11.2 miles
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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