Summary

Join us as we hike over Galehead, South Twin and Zealand Mtns. to spend Halloween at Zealand Falls Hut!

The foliage past peak golden brown colors will be in display! We will be hiking over three 4,000 footers: Galehead [4024'], South Twin [4902'], and Zealand [2360']. Twinway trail offers magnificent views from the the summits of South Twin mountain, Mt. Guyot and the outlook at Zeacliff! We will be spotting a car where we end up on the Zealand Trail and then carpool to the start at Gale River Road.

We'll reach the Garfield Ridge Trail at 4 miles and reach closed Galehead Hut at 4.6 miles. We'll take the Frost Trail for 0.5 mile to climb Galehead [250 foot climb from the Hut]. We'll then begin the long, grueling climb up the well-constructed rock staircase, rising 1100 feet in 0.8 mile to reach the summit of South Twin [5.4 miles]. It will take another 6.2 miles to reach Zealand Hut; highlights include the open flat northeast summit of Mt. Guyot [7.4 miles], Zealand Mountain [8.7 miles], the magnificent Zealand Outlook [10.3 miles] and finally reaching Zealand Falls Hut at 11.6 miles to spend the night. Sunday it's an easy hike out at 2.8 miles out following an old railroad grade much of way, and passing through an area of beaver swamps, meadows, ponds, with views of the surrounding mountains.   

We will hike 11.6 miles on Saturday and 2.8 miles on Sunday. Total elevation gain is 3,400 feet all of which occurs on Saturday. This will be a fun and awesome trip! Halloween costumes Saturday night is optional.

We will start to encounter possible winter like conditions with traces of snow so attention to safety is of paramount importance and having microspikes in your pack is not a bad idea. Be prepared for cold weather conditions. Proper gear is a must!!!

Zealand Hut: Zealand Falls Hut is on a caretaker basis meaning that you bring your own food and cook it on their gas stove. They supply all the pots, pans, plates, eating utensils, etc. and we sleep on bunk beds. It will start getting cold so bring a sleeping bag to sleep in. Bring a change of clean clothes for when you get into the hut and footwear. We like to bring a small flask of whiskey to drink and will bring a game to entertain ourselves. The cost per person is $27 [AMC member] or $33 [AMC non member] and you'll have to make your reservations directly with the Appalachian Mountain Club website: http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/huts/zealand/. This Hut will sell out so reserve your bunk ASAP. Zealand Hut is cozy, the view of Carrigain Notch is spectacular and it sits next to a series of water cascades! 

Friday Night Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday night at $20 per night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have limited space in the fridge to store your beverages/food so it's best to bring a small cooler. Space is limited so email ASAP to reserve a bunk! 

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

We are meeting at the Zealand Trail that runs from the end of Zealand Road. It is reached by following the Zealand Road which leaves US 302 at Zealand Campground about 2.3 miles east of Twin Mountain village, to a parking area on the left 3.5 miles from US 302 just before a gate. We are driving a blue FJ Cruiser. We will spot car here and then carpool to the start at Gale River Road.