Gale River Trail

imported
#1 
									My wife and I are planning a hike from the Gale River, to Galehead, then the AT to Guyot (a side trip out Bond Cliff)  and on the AT to Zealand Hut and out to the road.   But apparently the bridge is out on the Gale River Trail.  We are in our mid to late 60's and have a little problem with balance when we are doing river crossings, so rock srambling on wet rocks in a river is not a thing we do well!   Has anyone done this trail since the bridge was washed out in 2005 and how difficult are the water crossings on the hike.  Thanks for any feedback.  Pastor John from Georgia 

									_Pastor John_
#2 
									check out www.viewsfromthetop.com for any recent hiking in that area.  I can't recall myself if I've been on the Gale River trail, but if so, not in the past few years.  If you can't find anything @ VFTT, check out AMC's website www.outdoors.org and go to the forums and post the question there.

HTH,
BB

									_Bluebearee_
#3 
									Bluebearee, thanks for the prompt response.  I realized when I saw your response that I had not been specific about the date of our trip.  We are doing this trip on the Gale River Trail in mid August of 2008.    Thanks for any help you can give us old folks!  I'm also doing several hundred miles of the AT in late May of this year, doing from Davenport to above Damascus. This will be a little late to catch many of the thru-hikers but maybe I'll see a few of the late starters and certainly a lot of section hikers like myself who love getting out each year for some rewewal on our spirits on the AT.    Pastor John from Georgia 

									_Pastor John_
#4 
									I got to Standing Bear on Mother's Day in 02 and left Damascus June 7 or 8th after an extended time off from T/Ds and a family death, there was still a crowd back there then.  Not everyone leaves March 1st as one might be led to believe!

Good luck with the Gale River in August. Much will depend on rainfall. But of all months, that would typically be the lowest for water levels.

									_Bluebearee_
#5 
									I hiked up to the Galehead Hut in late July last summer.   The crossing was very uneventful -- the trail crews have placed stepping stones at strategic points and I was able to cross very easily.   As Bluebearee mentioned, the ease of crossing really depends on the level of rainfall, but it tends to be dry in New England in late summer.   There are several water crossings on that trail -- if you feel uncomfortable rock hopping you can just put on your Crocs or water shoes and easily wade across.   I did that on the second crossing since I was hiking alone and didn't want to take any chances.   Hiking poles are helpful also -- I would recommend them in the Whites!   Hope you will have a great time.

									_Mellow_
#6 
									Ditto on the hiking poles. I hiked the Gale River trail last summer and it was uneventful. I do remember that the lower water crossing which is the one I think the bridge was on was fairly wide but plenty of rocks to hop across on. Its a beautiful trail although a bit rough at the top. Also remember if your going out to Bond Cliff you have to go over Bond first and the side trail to West Bond is right there and is well worth the extra effort. Have a great hike.

									_Big B_
#7 
									Mellow and Big B,   Thanks for the feedback.  It is most reassurring.   I'm really excited about the hike.  Yes, we will try to do both Bond and West Bond. I hope we have some pretty weather.  The last time I was in that section, it was raining, slippery and treacherous.  It is fun to talk about it now, but...well you know.

Thanks and happy hiking.
Pastor John from Georgia

									_Pastor John_