Date: 2011-07-06
From: Frost Trail to Galehead Hut, NH

To: Crawford Notch, US 302, NH
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Start Frost Trail to Greenleaf Hut, NH, mile 1821.3Stop Crawford Notch, US 302, NH, mile 1836.3Hiked 15 miles NorthboundSleep bed in AMC LodgeCell goodOld Goat's notes:What a day we hiked 15 miles today. I should have scheduled another day and made two days of it. The first 7 miles were over rugged terrain and we were very slow. The next 8 miles were mostly flat and easy to hike. I understand some of that section used to be an old railroad bed from the past when they logged in there. I had remembered this section as being a good hike. I was a little concerned with how much time it would take and if we would make it to dinner. Well we made it in time to go to our room and also take a shower. We hiked hard and fast this afternoon but it was worth it. Oh yes one more piece of good fortune, or Divine intervention. The weather report called for showers this afternoon and at one point we thought we were going to get wet. We made it here to our lodging with only a few minutes to spare before the rain came. We are so lucky. Check 6's notes:Another grueling day...at least the first part of it. It took us 5 hours to hike just under 7 miles. With 8 miles to go, we figured we'd get to the lodge around 8pm or so, soaking wet, and missing dinner. Thank goodness the last 8 miles were much much easier. We even hiked 3 miles in 70 minutes! That's an incredible pace for us. A few raindrops fell as we were on our last 3/4 mile, but didn't amount to anything except to make us quickly don our pack covers. The timing of the storm was amazing...as soon as a van picked us up the wind kicked up fierce, and within a few minutes of our checking in it started pouring! There was a much smaller, and quieter, group at the hut last night. Made for a lovely evening. The hut crews are a fun group of people. Both huts had fun skits in the morning to comically inform us to carry out our trash, fold the blankets we used, and hint that tips for the crew are encouraged (they have a tip box). I found This morning's skit to be especially funny. Two of the girls pretended to be hikers. One "fell" and broke her leg. The other folded the blanket and put it on top if her leg as a splint. The girl who "fell" decided to lighten her load by throwing trash out of her pack. Of course the other girl said not to leave trash on the trail and put it under her coat to carry out. Then the girl who fell had a heart attack, but wanted her friend to put her last $100 in the crew tip box. Cute skit. Each evening the crews introduce themselves and tell an interesting fact about themselves. I enjoy the crews and their antics. We passed a hiker going South today who asked if I was Pam (the woman I wrote about yesterday...who rescued a guy). Pam apparently was on a team who rescued that hiker some time ago. It seems Pam is somewhat of a legend in these mountains. The hut master of the hut we were in last night knows Pam and said she wished she would visit their hut sometime. I'm glad we met Pam and had the opportunity to talk with her for a while. What a wonderful lady. Nice to be in the lodge tonight. Another hard day tomorrow and for the next 5 days as we continue in The Whites of New Hampshire. Sent from my iPhone