Thirteen Falls Loop Backpack

Mother Nature cooperated with beautiful, summer weather and few black flies or mosquitoes.  This was a challenging multi-day backpack with heavy packs and steep ascents.  Although there were a few minor navigational mishaps (we hiked in the wrong direction from the summit of Mount Garfield… Ooops), the group was amenable with great camaraderie.   The hike up Owl’s Head was a vertical one mile and was intense and sweaty.   We would have enjoyed more time to swim in the deep pools at Thirteen Falls, but that will be for the next time!

This backpack will be a 3-day, 31-mile scenic loop that takes us into the most remote part of the Pemigewasset Wilderness below Franconia Ridge.  We will summit three, four thousand footers: Mt. Garfield, Owls Head Mountain, and Mt. Galehead.  Our route will follow major watercourses of the Pemigewasset past cascades, pools, and swimming holes. 

Total cumulative elevation gain will be approximately 7500′ over 3 days.  The plan is to hike approximately 8 miles on Friday, 12 miles Saturday and 10 miles on Sunday.  Camping will be at the tent sites at beautiful Thirteen Falls (see link below) Friday and Saturday.   This will allow us to day hike from base camp near the falls to Owl’s Head Mountain and the loop around Owl’s Head back to Thirteen Falls.  There is a $15/person/night caretaker fee for tent sites.

On Sunday we will depart Thirteen Falls and ascend Mt. Galehead with a stop at Galehead hut for refreshments and then, after summiting, return to the cars via Gale River Trail.

More info:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vjcncbeFuiBSjN9czbLh8DnvN57BO724/view

https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-thirteen-falls-loop/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74739

https://newenglandwaterfalls.com/nh-thirteenfalls.html

More details to follow by early summer.  Please contact trip leader for any questions regarding gear planning. 

This is a strenuous backpack.  Participants need to be physically and mentally prepared to backpack 31 miles / 7,500’ elevation gain and also manage water crossings and the possibility of muddy sections of trails.  Planning and coordination, appropriate gear, and clothing, grippy hiking boots and provisions for 2 nights and 3 days are required.

Equipment: Backpack, 3 season backpacking sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad, backpacking tent or bivy, 10 + essentials for hiking, filled water bottles (2-3 liters), water filtration or purification, backpack stove, cookware and utensils, bear bag / rodent proof food bag, provisions for 3 days/2 nights, trail snacks, headlamp, layered clothing for expected conditions and rain gear, water shoes, toiletries (suntan lotion, insect repellent).

Sharing of gear (stoves, fuel, water treatment and tents) is highly suggested. 

Water is expected to be available at each campsite and on route.