The Twins #20 and #21
August 3, 2009
We headed out from Waterville Valley in search of our next destination. We knew we wanted a fire road off of route 3. We thought from the map it should be the third one we came to but we were expecting signs. At first we went past it but then we saw the “You are now leaving the White Mountain National Forest” sign. So we turned around and turned into this road. There were some signs for camping but nothing to let you know this was the trailhead for North Twin. It wasn’t until we went the 2 miles to the little parking area that we could confirm we were in fact in the right place.
Stepping out of the car you could hear the Little River rushing. At first you kind of hike away from the river but soon enough you are hiking right along it. We had read that it was near impossible to do the first crossing in high water and that you could bushwhack to the third crossing. The water was defiantly too high but there was an obvious trail following along the river. The trail was very muddy though. If you are going to do this trail now I highly recommend having high waterproof boots. We got to the third crossing and pondered ways across. There were two trees that maybe could be used to shimmy across but I wasn’t high on that idea. We went up river a little bit and it appeared to have more exposed rocks to use. We defiantly had to step into the water but were able to find rocks that weren’t too deep. At one point some water splashed up onto my socks but nothing got down into the boot. This first part of the trail was only a very slight incline so now it was time to head up. Along the way we met Dave, the North Twin Spur trail maintenance man. He was happy to see we weren’t soaking wet. He had been up on the mountain for the last week doing work and was wondering what the river crossing was going to be like. We chatted for a few minutes and then parted ways. The trail up seemed fairly easy to me after my recent adventures in the Cascades.
There was nothing too exciting until we got to a clearing not too far from the top of North Twin. We stopped and snacked and then headed on.
We took the short side path at the summit to have another view. The clouds were starting to melt away so the views weren’t that great yet. As we headed along the spur there was one small steep section but nothing too bad. On we went. The hike between the two was a lot easier then it looked when we were on North. We reached the bald summit of South Twin as more of the clouds were disappearing. 
It was a bit chilly and breezy at the top. I put my fleece on and sat up top to eat while dad sought protection among the rocks. 
We got our pictures and talked to two other groups before heading back down to check two more 4kers off our list.
August 3, 2009
We headed out from Waterville Valley in search of our next destination. We knew we wanted a fire road off of route 3. We thought from the map it should be the third one we came to but we were expecting signs. At first we went past it but then we saw the “You are now leaving the White Mountain National Forest” sign. So we turned around and turned into this road. There were some signs for camping but nothing to let you know this was the trailhead for North Twin. It wasn’t until we went the 2 miles to the little parking area that we could confirm we were in fact in the right place.
Stepping out of the car you could hear the Little River rushing. At first you kind of hike away from the river but soon enough you are hiking right along it. We had read that it was near impossible to do the first crossing in high water and that you could bushwhack to the third crossing. The water was defiantly too high but there was an obvious trail following along the river. The trail was very muddy though. If you are going to do this trail now I highly recommend having high waterproof boots. We got to the third crossing and pondered ways across. There were two trees that maybe could be used to shimmy across but I wasn’t high on that idea. We went up river a little bit and it appeared to have more exposed rocks to use. We defiantly had to step into the water but were able to find rocks that weren’t too deep. At one point some water splashed up onto my socks but nothing got down into the boot. This first part of the trail was only a very slight incline so now it was time to head up. Along the way we met Dave, the North Twin Spur trail maintenance man. He was happy to see we weren’t soaking wet. He had been up on the mountain for the last week doing work and was wondering what the river crossing was going to be like. We chatted for a few minutes and then parted ways. The trail up seemed fairly easy to me after my recent adventures in the Cascades.
There was nothing too exciting until we got to a clearing not too far from the top of North Twin. We stopped and snacked and then headed on.
We took the short side path at the summit to have another view. The clouds were starting to melt away so the views weren’t that great yet. As we headed along the spur there was one small steep section but nothing too bad. On we went. The hike between the two was a lot easier then it looked when we were on North. We reached the bald summit of South Twin as more of the clouds were disappearing. 
It was a bit chilly and breezy at the top. I put my fleece on and sat up top to eat while dad sought protection among the rocks. 
We got our pictures and talked to two other groups before heading back down to check two more 4kers off our list. Thoughts: No blisters with my new boots and socks!
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