Layfayette to Owls Head Bushwhack

[spider solo]

I was wondering if someone might be interested in spotting a car at the Lincoln Woods trail head then coming around and climb Layfayette (Bridal Path)
Then following the shoulder off the back side (east) down and over to the NW end of Owls Head where the contours seem gentle and up along that ridge...picking up the herd path and following it on down.
I think I'm available next Wed,Thurs, (maybe fri). That would be March 30 & 31.
I would imagine others have done this and though I strongly prefer,snowshoes I was wondering if I might be better off on skis. Mostly wondering if the skis would be more forgiving with spruce traps.
Thought conditions might be good for this trip while the snow is deep ...before the brooks get swollen with spring run off.
Any ideas?
Thinking that would be one long day and best to bring overnight gear...

 

[el-bagr]

Spider, I'd be there in a moment (on skis) if my knee weren't torn. This is a good year for this trip! Sounds like you're talking about a different route off Lafayette than I've taken -- not the slide? If you're going off the ridge to the NE (on a straight bearing to Owl's Head NNW ridge), isn't there a steep cliffy area?

Snowshoes would likely prove adequate for this. Skis would be faster in open terrain, but that's not necessarily a good thing -- plus you'll be in thick branches a lot of the time.

 

[Papa Bear]

I was wondering if someone might be interested in spotting a car at the Lincoln Woods trail head then coming around and climb Layfayette (Bridal Path)
Then following the shoulder off the back side (east) down and over to the NW end of Owls Head where the contours seem gentle and up along that ridge...picking up the herd path and following it on down.

Although winter conditions may change the situation, the traditional route down from Lafayette is to follow the ridge down to "North Lincoln" (the bump between Lafeyette and Lincoln) and then follow the Lincoln slide down. You move into the woods to the left of the slide where the slide becomes a stream and then it's a straight haul following the slide stream on its left bank down to the brook, and thence across Lincoln Brook to the trail. Many have done this route and a search here or on the AMC boards will turn up some reports.

Here's a description of the route as I did it last summer:

Lincoln Slide Route to Owls head

Your suggested route is interesting from the Owls Head perspective. I've always thought the NW ridge to OH would be an interesting route. Of course you could still do that by bearing north (left) when you get to the Lincoln Brook Trail till you reach the height of land (but the trail may be hard to follow in snow) and then do the route up the NW ridge of Owls Head. In spite of the "backtracking", this might be easier and shorter since the Lincoln Slide is likely to be a lot easier than a BW down off the east side of Lafe, IMHO.

Which ever way you go, have fun and be safe.

Pb

 

[spider solo]

Sorry... to hear about your knee... I had been wondering if you were doing the Isolation ski this year.
A friend of mine mentioned skiing the slide but I thought it was way beyond my ablities.
Are there some cliffs on the shoulder route that I should take into consideration? I would be willing adjust my course if recommened. I'm looking at the shoulder betweeen Layfayette and Lincoln it always looks gentle from the ridge down but might it have a surprise ot two I can't see?
I would imagine when you ski the slide it is done as a one day trip ?
Very much interested in how thick the vegetation is. I have a pretty good tolerence but don' t want to get to masochistic about it... always looking for some open woods, and some nice views.

.....papa bear thanks for the info I just saw it..i'll be checking it out.

 

[DougPaul]

Spider,

I skied the NNW ridge of Owls Head 25 yrs ago--it shouldn't be too hard to snowshoe, snow conditions permitting.

Did it as a two-dayer--skied in Lincoln Woods Tr (Pemi-wilderness back then) and Lincoln Brook Tr to a point just south of the height-of-land. Turned east, attained the ridge, and followed it to the summit. The ridge was fairly open--there were some spruce groves, but we were able to avoid them on the way down.

Doug

 

[Sherpa John]

I agree with Papa Bear, Lincoln slide is the best way to do it.

 

[spider solo]

I see I'll be watching the weather pretty closely on this one...will have to decide if my window of opportunity is being washed away.
Other than that I realize I might have to regain the ridge and was thinking of the low spot between Little Haystack and Liberty.
Anyone ever give that a try before?

 

[DougPaul]

Check out the Mt Wash avalanche report--the rain has pushed the hazard up to high. The rain could easily be doing the same thing to the Lincoln and Owls head slides.

Doug

 

[albee]

sounds fun

There's a good chance I'll be free on Wednesday or Thursday and I'd be interested in a trip like this. PM me or email me if you still want to go.