Hi hiking friends! I’m back for Season 3 of my journey to 48 after a long winter’s nap – along with the bears, black flies, people from Mass, and all the other fair-weather hikers like myself, who come out in droves this time of the year.
I kicked off the season earlier this week with a trip up to Galehead for #35. Galehead is what you might call a “throwaway” peak, like a dollar bill burning a hole in your pocket – you know you should spend it, so do you go to the dollar store or do you bide your time, collect a few more dollar bills and then go full ham at the Target $3 bin?! But I digress…
Needless to say, Galehead doesn’t get a whole lotta trail love here in the White Mountains and is typically just a peakbag on a bigger journey to more exciting summits such as the Twins, Garfield, da Bonds, or even a full ham Pemi loop.
But I’m here to argue in favor of saving Galehead for a hike of its own, and giving this neglected, redheaded stepchild of a mountain the loving it deserves. So, here are my top reasons why you should hike Galehead (via Gale River Trail) on its own:
It’s easy!
Are you balls deep in your 48 list, with a bunch of big boy peaks left to tackle – but also sorely out of shape after taking the winter off of hiking to watch far too much Netflix and eat far too much cheese? Well then, Galehead is the mountain for you! At only ~2500 elevation gain spanned out over 10 miles, your jiggly thighs will love the largely flat and gradual Gale River trail.
Your dog will LOVE it!
This is a great hike for your four-legged friend, with plenty of water along the way and no real steep sections of concern for Old Yeller.
Speaking of water…
Find the sound of a babbling brook, or full-on gushing stream oddly meditative? Then you will enjoy the sweet sounds of nature’s nectar as it serenades your walk along the trail.
Note: the second water crossing at 2.2 miles can be dicey in high water, so stay dry and keep an eye on water levels.
Hut hut
Who doesn’t love a hut stop along the way? While the hut isn’t open just yet, it’s still a lovely spot to stop for lunch and take in the sweet, sweet views.
But you can also save it for a rainy day
While the view from the hut and outlook just before Galehead summit (which is viewless) is quite lovely, if you’re this far into the 48 game, you’re likely completely spoiled when it comes to sweeping, panoramic vistas by this point. Galehead makes for a fine option for a rainy day hike – similar to Hale, but a bit easier (in my opinion).
Are you an introverted extrovert?
Do you love people, but also secretly love when your social plans get cancelled? You’ll get the best of both worlds on your journey to Galehead. While you likely won’t see too many people on Gale River trail, you will absolutely see plenty of fellow hikers on all different kinds of journeys once you hit Garfield Ridge trail, and most certainly by the time you reach Galehead Hut. But don’t worry, once your social stores are depleted, it’s just a hop, and a skip back to the peace and quiet of Gale River trail.
Cause it’s about the journey, not the destination…. Right?
With just a baker’s dozen peaks left, and several peak-bagging trips ahead of me, the end of this journey is starting to get very REAL. And while I’m excited for to complete the journey I started 3 years ago, I also don’t want it to end. So I’m thankful to Galehead for reminding me to slow down, and enjoy each and every moment of my journey to 48.
