Thursday, October 25, 2012

Hiking the 4,000 Footers: Galehead 8.26.2012

Via Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail
10.2 miles round trip

Number 25 on the List!

Galehead is a small mountain along the Garfield Ridge in Northern New Hampshire. Considered small at 4024 feet because Galehead's neighbors are more than 500 feet taller.

Trails to Galehead

Trail to Galehead

Galehead also boasts Galehead Hut, a popular pit stop and overnight for many backpackers. Typically Galehead is nabbed as part of either a multi-day trip or long day-trip. Due to our time constraints and schedule we elected to pick it up as an out and back day trip.

Trails to Galehead

The intitial part of the trail to Galehead is re-routed due to recent damage from Hurricane Irene. It's very easy to follow for the most part as it sidesteps the fallen trees.

Trails to Galehead

Trails to Galehead

After completing so many of the longer more arduous 4000 footers this summer in intense heat and humidity  Galehead was a welcome treat. The hiking was relatively easy with some steep and rocky sections. 

View from Galehead Hut

View from the Hut

Galehead Hut

Galehead Hut

We caught up with a couple from Florida who just trekked across Franconia Ridge. They claimed to be a day behind schedule due to the unexpected difficulty of the trails. While they were regular gym goers and in fairly good shape- they claimed is was nothing compared to hiking these mountains. It has been a very common circumstance for us to come across hikers and backpackers that underestimated the difficulty of some of these hikes. I recently read on a website site that many people focus too much on the equipment end of hiking the White Mountains and underestimate the physical.

Asolos falling apart

Adam's boots have been slowly falling apart all summer

Hitting Galehead Hut in the fall is a great time of year. The views are amazing and there are sustainability fewer hikers.

Galehead Mountain In the Distance

Galehead Mountain

View from Galehead

View from Galehead

View from Galehead Mountains; Looking down towards the Hut

View from Galehead

View from Galehead

View from Galehead

View from Galehead

Galehead Summit

Actual Summit


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