BIGEarl
Well-known member
January 24, 2009: Owl’s Head
Trails: Wilderness Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack, Owl’s Head Path
Summits: Owl’s Head
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue), Jim L, Jeb, Bill, Bryan, and me
Our Plan A for the weekend was the Southern Presidentials, from Washington through Jackson. On Thursday the weather forecast seemed solid and our Plan A was blown away. The forecast was predicting wind speeds of over 70mph at 6000 feet. Even at 4000 – 4500 feet the forecast was indicating 45 to 55 mph from the west - northwest. We decided on a hike that would be sheltered from the wind. Owl’s Head became Plan B. I posted the hike for others to join if there was interest. Jim, Jeb, and Bill had similar concerns for their hike of the Bonds. They decided Owl’s Head made sense and joined the fun. Bryan needed Owl’s Head for his W48 and also joined in. Bryan also slept in and ended up not being at Lincoln Woods when we set off.
A few minutes later than planned we were crossing the suspension bridge at Lincoln Woods and starting off on the Wilderness Trail. I believe most of us were on light traction for this early warm-up. In approximately 50 minutes we reached the turn onto Black Pond Trail and pulled out the snowshoes. The trail was broken out but we didn’t want to cause any posthole damage. From this point through the remainder of the hike, Sue helped me get my pack on and off. I was experiencing a little hangover from the shoulder dislocation of the prior weekend. A helping hand made a huge difference all day – thanks Sue.
We hiked quietly toward Black Pond. The trail was tracked out with a terrific, wide snowshoe track that allowed me to comfortably hike with my Atlas 1230’s. Often, the trails are a little narrow but not this time. We made it to the first scenery photo-op for the day and stopped for pictures of Owl’s Head over Black Pond. A short distance later we stopped again for pictures of Bondcliff over Black Pond. In another couple hundred feet we would be hiking the Black Pond bushwhack.
The bushwhack track was broken out but it was a terrible route. Evidently, the person that went through needed blazes to follow and ‘whacked the route that stays low near the swamp following the illegal blazes. We went along with it since it was the only choice that was broken out – but we didn’t like it. Eventually, we made the large arching turn that this route follows and came out at the major crossing of the Lincoln Brook. This bushwhack route goes from the end of the Black Pond Trail, sweeps in an arch favoring the north-northeast, and actually ends on the Fisherman’s Bushwhack. From there. It follows the edge of Franconia Brook and Lincoln Brook to the point where the Lincoln Brook Trail has its lower crossing of the Lincoln Brook. We did a little sputtering, wishing somebody that knew the upper route had broken it out, and set off for the Brutus Bushwhack and the climb of Owl’s Head.
The Lincoln Brook Trail is also in great shape with a wide snowshoe track. The sun was coming up and starting to reach into the valley between Owl’s Head and Franconia Ridge. We had no wind, a mild temperature, what a terrific day. Approximately half way to the upper crossing of Lincoln Brook Bryan caught us. He had indicated a 6:30am start might be difficult but would plan to catch up – and he did. Now, the group is complete. Bryan also indicated the other group that was expected to be making the same hike was approximately thirty minutes behind.
We worked our way to the final crossing of the Lincoln Brook and the start of the Brutus Bushwhack. We made the crossing and found no signs of traffic on the usual start for the bushwhack. Continuing on another couple hundred feet we came upon a tracked out section heading east and we made the turn.
The first part of the Brutus Bushwhack goes up a steep, thick section and breaks out on an old logging road. Then, make a right turn onto the logging road and follow it to the end in a large bowl. From there, a heading of ~30 degrees goes up the slope and hits the Owl’s Head herd path above the slide at approximately 3500 feet. The track we followed hit the Lincoln Brook Trail much further along than normal. Also, it seemed to make the turn off the old logging road early and climb a much steeper approach than I have done in the past. I have no way of knowing but believe this route was broken out from top to bottom. The general route did the job but it was much steeper than others have been. The good part was it stayed in relatively open spruce for the full distance after leaving the old logging road and never ventured into the blowdown field at the top.
Once we hit the Owl’s Head Herd Path it was just a matter of making the final climb to the ridge, pass the traditional summit, and make our way to the “new” summit. In the process of making the climb, the large group caught us and we all became one big crowd headed for the same objective.
It wasn’t long before we were on the ridge and snapping pictures of the beautiful winter scenery. Owl’s Head is surrounded on three sides by mountains significantly taller. Consequently, we were sheltered from the high winds that were forecast. A light breeze is all there was. We made our way to the “new” summit following a route that was very different from past hikes (evidently more traffic is needed to establish a clear route). In fact, the route to the traditional summit came in from an unusual direction. We reached the small cairn, got the summit pictures, and made our u-turn for the hike out.
The hike back out was a fast one. Since the bushwhack followed a very steep approach there was lots of slipping and sliding involved in our exit. The two groups were still combined, and entertaining each other on the hike down. There was some blood but none of it was mine. We all hit the Lincoln Brook Trail with nothing broken, and very relieved.
A re-trace of our route from the morning was all we had left. We cruised back to the Black Pond Bushwhack, made the turn and headed for the Black Pond Trail where we stopped for a couple afternoon pictures of Bondcliff and Owl’s Head, then the Wilderness Trail where we made a brief stop. While there a group that we saw in the morning was returning from Bondcliff. Their plan for the day was an out-and-back to West Bond. The high wind ended their day on Bondcliff. Finally, the slog back to Lincoln Woods.
What a great hike to Owl’s Head (except for the bushwhack routes). We started and ended without headlights – unusual for me on this hike. The climb was a good news – bad news story.
Good News: Bushwhacked around the slide through relatively open wooded areas.
Bad News: Never got to enjoy the views from the slide. Oh well, next time. This is one of my favorite hikes and there will be a next time.
Thanks to Jim, Jeb, Bill, and Bryan for joining the fun. We had a great day hiking Owl’s Head. And, thanks to Sue – we have a great day every time we hike even when things don’t go as planned.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Wilderness Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack, Owl’s Head Path
Summits: Owl’s Head
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue), Jim L, Jeb, Bill, Bryan, and me
Our Plan A for the weekend was the Southern Presidentials, from Washington through Jackson. On Thursday the weather forecast seemed solid and our Plan A was blown away. The forecast was predicting wind speeds of over 70mph at 6000 feet. Even at 4000 – 4500 feet the forecast was indicating 45 to 55 mph from the west - northwest. We decided on a hike that would be sheltered from the wind. Owl’s Head became Plan B. I posted the hike for others to join if there was interest. Jim, Jeb, and Bill had similar concerns for their hike of the Bonds. They decided Owl’s Head made sense and joined the fun. Bryan needed Owl’s Head for his W48 and also joined in. Bryan also slept in and ended up not being at Lincoln Woods when we set off.
A few minutes later than planned we were crossing the suspension bridge at Lincoln Woods and starting off on the Wilderness Trail. I believe most of us were on light traction for this early warm-up. In approximately 50 minutes we reached the turn onto Black Pond Trail and pulled out the snowshoes. The trail was broken out but we didn’t want to cause any posthole damage. From this point through the remainder of the hike, Sue helped me get my pack on and off. I was experiencing a little hangover from the shoulder dislocation of the prior weekend. A helping hand made a huge difference all day – thanks Sue.
We hiked quietly toward Black Pond. The trail was tracked out with a terrific, wide snowshoe track that allowed me to comfortably hike with my Atlas 1230’s. Often, the trails are a little narrow but not this time. We made it to the first scenery photo-op for the day and stopped for pictures of Owl’s Head over Black Pond. A short distance later we stopped again for pictures of Bondcliff over Black Pond. In another couple hundred feet we would be hiking the Black Pond bushwhack.
The bushwhack track was broken out but it was a terrible route. Evidently, the person that went through needed blazes to follow and ‘whacked the route that stays low near the swamp following the illegal blazes. We went along with it since it was the only choice that was broken out – but we didn’t like it. Eventually, we made the large arching turn that this route follows and came out at the major crossing of the Lincoln Brook. This bushwhack route goes from the end of the Black Pond Trail, sweeps in an arch favoring the north-northeast, and actually ends on the Fisherman’s Bushwhack. From there. It follows the edge of Franconia Brook and Lincoln Brook to the point where the Lincoln Brook Trail has its lower crossing of the Lincoln Brook. We did a little sputtering, wishing somebody that knew the upper route had broken it out, and set off for the Brutus Bushwhack and the climb of Owl’s Head.
The Lincoln Brook Trail is also in great shape with a wide snowshoe track. The sun was coming up and starting to reach into the valley between Owl’s Head and Franconia Ridge. We had no wind, a mild temperature, what a terrific day. Approximately half way to the upper crossing of Lincoln Brook Bryan caught us. He had indicated a 6:30am start might be difficult but would plan to catch up – and he did. Now, the group is complete. Bryan also indicated the other group that was expected to be making the same hike was approximately thirty minutes behind.
We worked our way to the final crossing of the Lincoln Brook and the start of the Brutus Bushwhack. We made the crossing and found no signs of traffic on the usual start for the bushwhack. Continuing on another couple hundred feet we came upon a tracked out section heading east and we made the turn.
The first part of the Brutus Bushwhack goes up a steep, thick section and breaks out on an old logging road. Then, make a right turn onto the logging road and follow it to the end in a large bowl. From there, a heading of ~30 degrees goes up the slope and hits the Owl’s Head herd path above the slide at approximately 3500 feet. The track we followed hit the Lincoln Brook Trail much further along than normal. Also, it seemed to make the turn off the old logging road early and climb a much steeper approach than I have done in the past. I have no way of knowing but believe this route was broken out from top to bottom. The general route did the job but it was much steeper than others have been. The good part was it stayed in relatively open spruce for the full distance after leaving the old logging road and never ventured into the blowdown field at the top.
Once we hit the Owl’s Head Herd Path it was just a matter of making the final climb to the ridge, pass the traditional summit, and make our way to the “new” summit. In the process of making the climb, the large group caught us and we all became one big crowd headed for the same objective.
It wasn’t long before we were on the ridge and snapping pictures of the beautiful winter scenery. Owl’s Head is surrounded on three sides by mountains significantly taller. Consequently, we were sheltered from the high winds that were forecast. A light breeze is all there was. We made our way to the “new” summit following a route that was very different from past hikes (evidently more traffic is needed to establish a clear route). In fact, the route to the traditional summit came in from an unusual direction. We reached the small cairn, got the summit pictures, and made our u-turn for the hike out.
The hike back out was a fast one. Since the bushwhack followed a very steep approach there was lots of slipping and sliding involved in our exit. The two groups were still combined, and entertaining each other on the hike down. There was some blood but none of it was mine. We all hit the Lincoln Brook Trail with nothing broken, and very relieved.
A re-trace of our route from the morning was all we had left. We cruised back to the Black Pond Bushwhack, made the turn and headed for the Black Pond Trail where we stopped for a couple afternoon pictures of Bondcliff and Owl’s Head, then the Wilderness Trail where we made a brief stop. While there a group that we saw in the morning was returning from Bondcliff. Their plan for the day was an out-and-back to West Bond. The high wind ended their day on Bondcliff. Finally, the slog back to Lincoln Woods.
What a great hike to Owl’s Head (except for the bushwhack routes). We started and ended without headlights – unusual for me on this hike. The climb was a good news – bad news story.
Good News: Bushwhacked around the slide through relatively open wooded areas.
Bad News: Never got to enjoy the views from the slide. Oh well, next time. This is one of my favorite hikes and there will be a next time.
Thanks to Jim, Jeb, Bill, and Bryan for joining the fun. We had a great day hiking Owl’s Head. And, thanks to Sue – we have a great day every time we hike even when things don’t go as planned.
Pictures will follow.
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