North & South Twin

What an awesome weekend.  As the week was drawing to a close I had a few days off from work that allowed me the luxury of getting ready for the weekend.  Jim was hard at work but I was off enjoying some quiet time.

The weather forecast leading up to the hike indicated Saturday was to be the nicer of the two days, turns out, Sunday was.  Nonetheless… we were not deterred and headed north for a weekend of hiking.  We set up camp at Moose Brook which was pretty full for this mid-October weekend.  Leaving Massachusetts turned out to be a small adventure in itself as we were navigating around various traffic incidents that had the major highways clogged.  Despite that – we were situated by 9:00pm and then promptly headed out to J’s for a beer.

Saturday came early and we rose at 7:00am.  We got ready and proceeded to dash into Gorham for a quick breakfast and then make our way to the North Twin trail head.  Reaching the trail head was not without a small adventure either.  Along route 115 I blew a tire on a mysterious object that was never recovered.  Of course, I couldn’t have blown an old tire; no… it was a BRAND NEW tire less than two weeks old.  In fact, I had just recently had four tires put on the Honda in preparation for winter.  A short 15 minutes later and the full size spare was on and we were back on the road.

We started hiking around 9:30am in chilly and cloudy weather.  Sometime around 10:00 the skies parted, the sun splashed on us and the sky was crystal blue.  We paused to take a few layers off as it seemed the day was going to be sunny and bright.  We carried on up the trail, crossing the rivers and streams, burning our breakfast and getting sweaty on this very rugged and steep trail.  We noticed the further we climbed, the cloudier it got.  As we reached the summit of North Twin we were greeted with a dense, misty like fog that obscured all views.  It was windy and we thought it might pass but it did not.  We carried on to a view point only for the same.  It was chilly and we did not linger.  We carried on the spur trail to South Twin where we were greeted by a number of hikers all waiting for glimpses above the tree line.  The winds were solid and the misty clouds were intermittent but the sunshine was near absent.  We got a handful of views, chatted up a few folks, had lunch and decided to make our way back.  Lucky us – as we arrived at North Twin the weather pattern cleared and we were treated to magnificent views – phew – that 4,900’ climb was not lost!!  After a few photos and moments taking it all in, we carried on down the mountain finishing up around 4:30pm.  As we did not through hike this day, total mileage was 11.2 miles.  We made our way back to camp, showered, started a camp fire, ate and had a terrific evening fireside.  By 9:30pm we were out!  Sleeping weather – pristine!!

Sunday came a little later, but not much – I’m guessing around 7:30am.  We rose, dressed, packed and were headed out of camp by 8:30am.  We headed back into Gorham for breakfast and by 9:30 were at the Rattle River Trail head.  We were going to Mt. Moriah.  This hike and this day were stunning.  The trail, to quote a fellow hiking bud, is a “nice walk in the woods”.  For roughly 2.5 miles this trail ascends quite moderately on a terrain that is noticeably absent of rocks and roots with very easy river crossings.  We walked along the river’s edge, under a canopy of open forest and through a more dense area of evergreens.  Along the way we passed the Rattle River Shelter – something cool to see.  But let’s not be fooled… while this summit is a modest 4,049 feet there is a real turning point on the trail where it starts to climb up and it is a relentless 1,500’ ascent of the most amazing rock stairs.  The stairs did make the ascent easier but it was a ball buster.  I suppose we were feeling it just a bit more given the hike up North and South Twin the day before.  Once on the ridge we were greeted to an amazingly green landscape of evergreens and mosses.  We traversed for well over a mile on reasonably flat terrain mixed with many board walks to protect the environment around us.  As with any good summit – we had a final summit bid of several hundred feet before reaching the top of Moriah.  We had 360 degree views with brilliant sunshine and cool but comfortable winds.  We took a real long break, chatted up fellow hikers, lunched and just relaxed. 

Sadly, all summit bids must come to an end and we began our way down.  We got to enjoy the same terrain on the way up – truly that ridge is a must see – it was beautiful.  The hike down was quick and uneventful.  We were back at the trail head at 4pm having indulged in 11.4 miles of natural wonder.  We grabbed our change of clothes and headed down to the river to clean up.  I was thinking the weekend at Gulf Hagas in Maine might be my last dip in the water but I managed to get my splash on again.  Jim just washed up with a hand towel – I couldn’t persuade him that the water really was “refreshing”, lol.  We got coffee and started our drive back to Massachusetts.

For me North Twin and Mt. Moriah represented summits 46 & 47 while for Jim, North & South Twin along with Moriah makes for summits #14, 15 & 16.  Next up… Carrigain at 4,700’.  This will mark my 48th 4,000 footer along with Jim’s 17th – and we get to keep on climbing until Jim reaches all 48 – and then we’ll keep on climbing, lol!!  We’ll be posting a trip for Saturday October 28th – hope you can join us!!

Cheers gents and see you on the trails soon!

It’s October – and fall colors are in full swing.  Join Jim and me for a strenuous and fun filled autumn hike up North Twin to South Twin with a short detour to tag Galehead Mtn. 

The trek will take us to North Twin (4,761’) via the North Twin Trail then carrying along the North Twin Spur to summit South Twin (4,902’) followed by a modest trek along the Garfield Ridge Trail to tag Galehead (4,024’).  A short double back and then we go down the Gale River Trail.  This will require spotting a car at our end point.  In the event we don’t have a car to spot, Jim and I will make an in/out day going to South Twin and returning by the same route.

At the start of the North Twin Trail there is water crossing which can be very challenging if water levels are high.  There is also a tricky river crossing descending the Gale River Trail.  Recent weather has been very dry and we should be good.  Poles are good for balance when crossing rivers if you like them.  I recently did a hike where we forded a river barefoot.  Chilly it was, but doable.  I might suggest alternative footwear for crossing in the event we decide to take our boots off for the crossing.

This is a strenuous hike.  We will hike at a healthy pace but also take breaks as needed.  Please keep in mind that daylight ends around 6:30pm at this time of the year.  It is good preparation to carry your head lamp.

The Plan:

On Saturday morning we’ll meet at the Gale River Trail Head at 8am to leave a vehicle then carpool to the North Twin Trailhead parking for a 9:00am hike

This is a one day hike, a rocking 12 miles of stunning views and hiking adventure.

What to bring: 

Food:  Bring a lunch for Saturday’s hike along with snacks and water.  As there are water crossings, bring a water filter if you wish to carry a lighter load of water.

Clothing:  No Cotton!  This is late autumn; expect temps to be varied and as low as the 20’s to 30’s.  We’ll know what the weather brings closer to the hike.  It is always good to bring layers, gloves, hat, and hand warmers – whatever your comfort level requires. 

A forecast of steady rain cancels the hike.