Trailhead and parking area are on Gale River Loop Road in Bethlehem, NH (summit is in Franconia). (Seasonal road - check status on TrailsNH to verify gate status). Gale River Loop Road is on the south side of Rt. 3, 4.7 miles northeast of Rt. 93 at Exit 35 and 5.2 miles west of Rt. 302. Note: Gale River Loop Road is a loop which has two endpoints on Rt. 3. The mileages given are for the eastern entrance, which is closer to to the Gale River Trail parking area. This end of the road is 0.3 miles east of the bridge over the Gale River and across the street from Trudeau Road. Drive 0.6 miles down the road and bear left at an unsigned intersection, then continue 0.7 miles past this and turn right to stay on the road. The parking area is on the left, 0.3 miles after this. Click here for a Google map.
Of the three somewhat minor peaks on the rough and rugged ridge connecting between Mt. Garfield and the Twin Range, only Galehead Mountain has any name recognition because it happens to rise about 4000 feet. It is usually thought of as one of the least exciting 4000-footers, as it is thoroughly forested to the top and really blends in under the shadow of the higher peaks around it. It is also known for being the site of AMC’s Galehead Hut along the Appalachian Trail. Despite its reputation, there are still some nice qualities about the mountain. Just below the summit there is in fact a nice viewpoint that, while not very far reaching, does provide an unusual view of the secluded Twin Brook valley. The hut also features a nice view from the clearing. The approach to the mountain is mostly gentle, featuring a pleasant and scenic walk along the North Branch of the Gale River.
Walk past the sign for Galehead Hut in the northeast corner of the parking area, begin hiking on Gale River Trail, and turn right at a conecting path from the road. The trail meanders for 0.2 miles, crosses a small brook, then begins a flat, easy mile-long section through the woods. The trail becomes rocky as it approaches the river. It passes several nice spots along the bank as it follows the river for 0.3 miles. It then turns sharply right where the original route of the trail continued ahead to cross the river. It switchbacks to an area higher above the river, then continues its gradual ascent, paralleling the river from a distance through a darker conifer forest. In half a mile, the trail leads away from the river and descends slightly to cross Garfield Stream. This crossing is usually fairly easy to step across the rocks, but the rocks can be covered over if water is high. The trail climbs on the other side, then eases and leads across the slope, heading back toward the river. It continues climbing very gradually for 0.6 miles, crossing several log bridges, then descends again to rejoin the former route of the trail. It then proceeds high up across the riverbank, passing through rocky and gravelly areas and crossing many small streams and runoffs. In 0.4 miles, it passes through an open area where you can walk down to the river and enjoy views of the cliffy ridges of North Twin Mountain. Past this, it goes back into the woods and continues its easy ascent, becoming slightly steeper for 0.4 miles until a right turn, where it climbs a stone staircase, turns back to the left, and climbs much more steeply over more stairs and rocky terrain for about half a mile to the end of the trail.
Turn left on Garfield Ridge Trail and follow it as it proceeds across the slope, going through minor ups-and-downs over stony surfaces. After 0.4 miles, it swings uphill and makes a final steeper ascent, ending with an easy walk across rock through a mossy forest for another 0.2 miles. At the junction, turn right onto Frost Trail and continue a short distance to AMC's Galehead Hut. Here, you can enjoy some views from the hut clearing out through the Twin Brook Valley, with Galehead itself rising to the right of the hut and Twin Mountain off to the left. Cross the hut clearing and continue on Frost Trail. The trail descends slightly into a blowdown patch where you can look up to the summit again, then continues to a junction with Twin Brook Trail at 0.15 miles from the junction. Bear right and stay on Frost Trail as it climbs steeply for 0.2 miles to a Galehead's main viewpoint, marked by a sign on the left. Step out of the trees into a small brushy clearing over a precipitous hillside careening down into the hidden valley of Twin Brook. The view straight down to the bottom is especially impressive. To the left, you can see back down to Galehead Hut. North Twin Mountain is behind it. Across the valley, you can see up to massive South Twin Mountain. Its summit is on the left and to its right, a ridge leads over a knob and down to Southwest Twin. To the south, you can look down the valley to distant mountains. Farthest to the left is Mt. Osceola, partially hidden behind the side of Southwest Twin. To the right of it are the many peaks of Scar Ridge. Mt. Tecumseh is seen behind and between Osceola and Scar Ridge. To the right of this is the minor summit of Loon Mountain, with two of its ski trails visible. In front of Loon are the minor peaks at the south end of the Franconia Range, and closest and furthest to the right is Owl's Head, the peak at the south end of Owl's Head Mountain. Beyond the viewpoint, the trail becomes easier and leads 0.15 miles to the summit and ends at the summit cairn (actually a short distance past the summit).
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