North and South Twin mountain sit at the North end of the Pemigiwasset Wilderness. They both feature incredible views of NH’s White Mountains, and are most often combined together in a day hike.
North Twin Mountain
Height:Â 4,760 feet (1,450.8 meters)
Distance:Â 8.6 Miles round trip (13.84 km)
Elevation Gain: 2,896 feet (882.7 meters)
Duration: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
South Twin Mountain
Height: 4,902 feet
Distance:Â 11.2 Miles Round Trip
Elevation Gain: 3,002 feet
Duration: 5-8 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trails
The North Twin Trail takes you from the end of Haystack road to the summit of North Twin. Within the first couple miles, you will cross a river three times. This means you should be prepared if the rivers may be high, as passing can be very difficult during high water.
At the summit of North Twin, the trail switches to the North Twin Spur, which connects the summits of North and South Twin.
Haystack road can be closed sometimes. If this is the case, prepare to add 4.5 miles roundtrip to your hike.
North and South Twin Trail Map
Map Courtesy of 4000footers.com
River Crossings
Hiking the Twins requires 3 river crossings which can be very difficult in high water. Consider avoiding during snowmelt or heavy rain periods. It is possible to avoid 2 river crossings via older trails that stay on one side of the river, however 1 is always required.
Parking and Directions
The parking lot is located at the trailhead for North Twin Mountain at the end of Haystack road in
Weather Forecast
Bethlehem, NH
Tonight
Rain showers before 3am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 3am and 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 30 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Saturday
A slight chance of snow showers between 8am and 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Northwest wind 40 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 30 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers between 8pm and 9pm, then rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Monday
Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night
Rain showers likely before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
The Summit Views
Both North Twin, and South Twin have fantastic views. The summit of south twin has two rocky viewpoints that allow you to see all of the Pemi Wilderness, South Twin and even to the East. South Twin offers 360 degree views with a rocky summit. Both are spectacular.
Max DesMarais is the founder of myoutdoorbasecamp.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, completed multiple ultra marathons, including the 100 mile Run Rabbit Run, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about
