The Tuesday Trip Report: North Twin, South Twin, and Galehead (winter 4Ks #42-44). Feb 22, 2012

Snowmobile trail, (closed) access road, North Twin Trail, North Twin Spur, Twinway, Frost Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail, cross-country ski trails.

Around 15 miles total.

We managed to snag this difficult trio of peaks while the conditions were just right.  Hiker traffic had packed down the trails; we only needed our snowshoes for the North Twin Spur, which is almost always filled in with drifted powder.  I knew the following days would bring a healthy amount of precipitation and I was anxious to cross these mountains off our list.  Many thanks to Hugh for taking care of Sage at the last minute so Alex and I could get these peaks while the going was relatively easy.

Alex and I used a snowmobile trail to get to the summer trailhead.  I now know there's a shorter route...oh well, we needed the warm-up...

At the summer trailhead for North Twin Trail...

There were a lot of ice formations to admire on this route...

Tim C. caught up with us at the upper portion of North Twin Trail.

We arrived at the summit of North Twin and checked out the view...

...which was the inside of a cloud.



The skies cleared up a bit as we hiked toward South Twin.

The summit of South Twin, just ahead...

The trail behind us...

Alex and Tim. C. on the summit of South Twin.

Alex hunkered down beside the summit rock to avoid the cold winds while I took some photos...

Tim C.

Moving on toward Galehead...

After a glorious 0.8 miles of butt-sliding, we arrived at the (closed) hut.  Forgive the quality of the next couple of pictures...I didn't notice the snow on the lens.

Galehead from the hut...

After taking a long break in the gloriously warm sunshine, we headed toward Galehead's summit.

Views from the outlook near the summit.

A close-up of the hut from the viewpoint.

The (viewless) summit of Galehead!

Tim C. took the following two pictures of a White-winged Crossbill.





After another long break, we headed down the mountain.  Alex, of course, used her sled as much as she could.

'Twas another great walk in the woods.

Thanks, Tim C., for your enjoyable company.

Three hikes, four mountains to go before March 20.  Let's hope the weather cooperates.