State: New Hampshire
Location: White Mountains National Forest
Length, One-Way: 4 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 1620 feet
Maximum Elevation: 3380 feet
Elevation Change: 1800 feet
Best Season: May to October
Usage: Heavy
Parking: White Mountains National Forest Fee Site.
White River New Hampshire
Trail Information
The Gale River Trail is the most common trail used for access to Galehead Hut. Most of the trail is easy walking except during high water, but the last half mile up to the Garfield Ridge Trail becomes steeper and rougher.
This trail starts from the parking lot entrance or near the bench on the main road. Both of these trails soon connect and cross a brook. The trail climbs the river bank and turns right on an old woods road. The trail follows this road gradually uphill through areas where timber has been cut in the past. At 1.7 miles, the trail crosses the Gale River on a bridge. Next the trail follows along the river, crosses several small brooks and twice follows eroded river channels. The trail recrosses the Gale River on large boulders at 2.5 miles and continues up the other side. At the foot of an old slide 3.2 miles up the trail, there is a large boulder with excellent views of the valley.
After walking parallel to the river a little further, the trail turns right and climbs more steeply with several sections of stone steps. It ends at the junction with the Appalachian/Garfield Ridge Trail at 4.0 miles. Turning left here will take you toward Galehead Hut and a right toward Mount Garfield.
To reach the Galehead Hut, follow the Appalachian Trail left for about 0.7 miles, then turn right on the Frost Trail to the newly-rebuilt hut.
Directions
From Interstate 93:
Take exit 35 off of Interstate 93 near Franconia Notch. Drive 5.1 miles north on US Route 3 to the east end of Gale River Loop Road. Make a right onto Gale River Road. In 0.6 miles take to left fork. Turn right in 1.2 miles then continue 0.4 miles to the trailhead parking lot on the left. There are several designated roadside campsites along this road including one just beyond the trailhead. The Gale River Trail is 1.6 miles straight ahead.
