Gale River Trail
On the way up South Twin Mountain, North Twin Mountain, Galehead Mountain · New Hampshire
Gale River Trail is a trail on and around Franconia Ridge, climbing about 1,850 ft from Gale River Trailhead to the Garfield Ridge Trail junction.
Map length
3.8 mi
Climb from the low end
1,831 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
2 h 48 min / 1 h 54 min
High point
3,388 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,768 ft/mi
Stream crossings
2 (1 ford)
Low point
1,592 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Gale River Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Gale River Trailhead (the lower end) to Garfield Ridge Trail junction.
- 0.0Gale River Trailhead
- 0.0Campsite
- 0.2Fords a stream
- 2.0Crosses a stream
- 3.8Junction with Garfield Ridge Trail
Trailheads and parking
Gale River Trailhead
Off Gale River Loop Road · Winter: gated
Fall weekends: Full in both reports, as early as 7 am.
Weekdays (all seasons): Full in 1 of 10 reports; others found space as late as 4:30 pm.
Latest report, Sat, Sep 12: Overflowing.
Summit conditions
Recent trip reports
3 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 3. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sun, Sep 13MudWet
Water crossings: Some rockhopping, not hard
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 12MudWetDry
Water crossings: Easy, due to present drought. A few had plank bridges, one was broken.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 12MudWetDry
Water crossings: Levels low no issues
Full report on NETC - Sun, Sep 6MudWet
Water crossings: Easily hopped, water levels low despite rain overnight
Full report on NETC - Wed, Aug 26MudWetDry
Water crossings: Bridged or easy step-over
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
64 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 64 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
28°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 28°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.