BIGEarl
Well-known member
May 24, 2008: Owl’s Head
Trails: Wilderness Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl’s Head Path, Brutus Bushwhack, Bushwhack to Franconia Falls, Franconia Falls Trail
Distance – Elevation: ~18 miles, 2850 feet
Hikers: Bobby and BIGEarl
Bobby is working on completing the 4000 Footers with thirty-six done and twelve to go. He contacted me a couple weeks ago with some questions concerning hiking to Owl’s Head. In the course of the discussion I mentioned I had a plan to go there soon. One thing led to another and we ended up doing the hike together.
The last few times I hiked Owl’s Head I had hoped to visit Franconia Falls on the way out. Each of these times there were high water conditions and I believed the falls under those conditions would be an interesting sight to see. Each time the trip to the falls didn’t work out. If the day worked out we were planning on two, and possibly three bushwhacks in the course of the hike, the last bushwhack going to Franconia Falls. Each bushwhack saves a little distance but probably not any time. The Black Pond Bushwhack and the Franconia Falls Bushwhack each save two difficult stream crossings.
We planned to meet at Lincoln Woods for a 7:00am start. On the road I called Bobby to let him know I thought I was running a few minutes late. Actually, I was doing fine. While preparing to head out we bumped into MEB, Little Sister, and Drew – all headed for Owl’s Head too. Their planned route was the same as our’s. After a brief conversation, and a couple pictures, we all set off for the day’s target. MEB, Little Sister, and Drew were out in front by a couple minutes and we never saw them again until mid-hike – they were leaving the summit of Owl’s Head and we were just arriving.
The first part of the hike is a warm-up on the Wilderness Trail, an old logging railroad bed. Flat and boring with enough rotting railroad ties to make walking interesting. In a relatively short time we reached the junction of the Black Pond Trail with the Wilderness Trail and made the turn. We were enjoying terrific hiking conditions; cool, very light breeze, and clouds that were rapidly clearing out. By the time we reached Black Pond there were only very thin high clouds and they were burning off quickly with the morning sun. At Black Pond we stopped for the photo-op of Owl’s Head over Black Pond. The surface of Black Pond was calm making for a nice reflection of the mountain.
‘Whack #1 – Black Pond Bushwhack
Here is the start of our first bushwhack for the day. The approach was a little different this time than on past hikes. Usually, at the end of Black Pond Trail I have simply taken a bearing and headed for the Lincoln Brook Trail. This time I was interested in avoiding all mud, if possible. We started by heading straight up the slope west of Black Pond climbing roughly 100 feet in elevation. At that point we set a course for the Lincoln Brook Trail. This small change made a huge difference. We were immediately out of the wet and muddy area around the pond, the hiking was in relatively open woods, and the small wet areas we did encounter were easily skirted. The bearing was 345 degrees and the target maximum elevation was 2100 feet. This course worked out great. I’ll plan to use this approach in the future. In a short period we were on the Lincoln Brook Trail with clean and dry boots. So far, we’re having a good day. And, the Lincoln Brook is running high.
Next, head for the Owl’s Head slide and stay dry on a couple stream crossings along the way. After a quick break following the bushwhack we set off for the slide. We worked through a couple mud pits along the way. Generally, there are logs or stones to use which will keep your feet clean and dry. In a couple cases the trail actually skirts the pits. We made it to the two final crossings before the slide. After searching upstream for more suitable crossing points we used the traditional places and managed to successfully get across (both would have been very difficult without poles). Soon we were at the base of the slide and enjoying a quick snack before the climb. While we were there a solo hiker came through, had a quick snack, and set off ahead of us on the slide.
The Owl’s Head slide is completely clear and mostly dry. There are a couple small flows coming down the slide but nothing that is creating a problem for climbing. The herd path was completely clear to just above the top of the slide where we encountered the first of many blowdowns. At approximately 3500 feet elevation we found a couple packs sitting on the side of the trail. As it turns out, MEB and Little Sister dropped their packs before heading to the summit. In a short distance we met them and Drew on their way back out. They indicated a plan to take the Brutus Bushwhack instead of the slide. We started thinking about taking the same exit plan. First, the summit. We continued through the blowdown field that exists toward the top of Owl’s Head. There are quite a few new ones that I don’t remember from my last couple trips, possibly a result of last winter’s storms. At approximately 3700 feet we came into a fairly complete snow and ice cover, easily bare booted with very limited postholing. Soon we were on the ridge and headed for the summit. Another blowdown field and Bobby had his #37 Four Thousand Footer. We enjoyed a break on the summit for pictures and a snack and soon prepared for the hike out. Along the way back across the ridge we decided the Brutus Bushwhack would be our exit.
‘Whack #2 – Brutus Bushwhack
The Brutus Bushwhack is always interesting. Reach an elevation that is below the blowdown field, take a generally southwest bearing, and dive into the spruce. There are some fairly thick and steep sections to work through. A couple times we came to drop-offs that required us to back off and offset north or south before continuing. Eventually, wooded sections opened up, then the birch glade, then the old wood road. We hiked back northwest along the wood road for a short distance and then turned left and headed straight down to the brook. We missed the trail and landed on the side of the brook roughly 200 feet downstream. Not much of a miss and we quickly recovered.
Back at the crossing it was clear the stream had come up a little in the course of the day (or a couple rocks had settled into the stream bottom a couple inches deeper). No big deal, we hit the high spots and successfully made the crossings, again. On the return hike along the Lincoln Brook Trail we made a quick stop to filter some water and otherwise made pretty good time to the lower crossing of the Lincoln Brook.
‘Whack #3 – Franconia Falls Bushwhack
Here, we started the third and final bushwhack of the day. From this location we took a bearing of 170 degrees. This course goes directly to Franconia Falls. And, it holds enough elevation to avoid the mud associated with the traditional Fisherman’s Bushwhack, which generally just follows the stream. The bushwhack passed through a mix of open and very thick sections. Generally, it was a mild downhill grade for the full distance. There were only a couple areas of mud that were easily avoided. We stayed on course and soon found ourselves at an elevation of 1600 feet on the hill above Franconia Falls (approx. elevation 1500 feet). All that was left was a walk straight down to the end of the Franconia Falls Trail. We’re now finished with the bushwhacks, and still having a good day.
We paid a visit to the falls for some pictures and to enjoy the place. It sure would have been nice if it were 30 to 40 degrees warmer. The water looked tempting, but cold. Soon we were heading down the trail to the junction with the Wilderness Trail, and then back to Lincoln Woods. We made a brief stop at the NEW Franconia Falls Bridge. Impressive! That thing will be around for quite a while.
Back at Lincoln Woods it didn’t take long for us to change into more comfortable footwear and prepare to leave. I believe Bobby and I were both interested in seeing the Celtics regain home court advantage. We said our goodbyes and were off.
Great hike Bobby, thanks. And, congratulations on #37, I hope we hike a few of the remaining ones together.
I've posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's pictures.
Straight to the slideshow.
Trails: Wilderness Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl’s Head Path, Brutus Bushwhack, Bushwhack to Franconia Falls, Franconia Falls Trail
Distance – Elevation: ~18 miles, 2850 feet
Hikers: Bobby and BIGEarl
Bobby is working on completing the 4000 Footers with thirty-six done and twelve to go. He contacted me a couple weeks ago with some questions concerning hiking to Owl’s Head. In the course of the discussion I mentioned I had a plan to go there soon. One thing led to another and we ended up doing the hike together.
The last few times I hiked Owl’s Head I had hoped to visit Franconia Falls on the way out. Each of these times there were high water conditions and I believed the falls under those conditions would be an interesting sight to see. Each time the trip to the falls didn’t work out. If the day worked out we were planning on two, and possibly three bushwhacks in the course of the hike, the last bushwhack going to Franconia Falls. Each bushwhack saves a little distance but probably not any time. The Black Pond Bushwhack and the Franconia Falls Bushwhack each save two difficult stream crossings.
We planned to meet at Lincoln Woods for a 7:00am start. On the road I called Bobby to let him know I thought I was running a few minutes late. Actually, I was doing fine. While preparing to head out we bumped into MEB, Little Sister, and Drew – all headed for Owl’s Head too. Their planned route was the same as our’s. After a brief conversation, and a couple pictures, we all set off for the day’s target. MEB, Little Sister, and Drew were out in front by a couple minutes and we never saw them again until mid-hike – they were leaving the summit of Owl’s Head and we were just arriving.
The first part of the hike is a warm-up on the Wilderness Trail, an old logging railroad bed. Flat and boring with enough rotting railroad ties to make walking interesting. In a relatively short time we reached the junction of the Black Pond Trail with the Wilderness Trail and made the turn. We were enjoying terrific hiking conditions; cool, very light breeze, and clouds that were rapidly clearing out. By the time we reached Black Pond there were only very thin high clouds and they were burning off quickly with the morning sun. At Black Pond we stopped for the photo-op of Owl’s Head over Black Pond. The surface of Black Pond was calm making for a nice reflection of the mountain.
‘Whack #1 – Black Pond Bushwhack
Here is the start of our first bushwhack for the day. The approach was a little different this time than on past hikes. Usually, at the end of Black Pond Trail I have simply taken a bearing and headed for the Lincoln Brook Trail. This time I was interested in avoiding all mud, if possible. We started by heading straight up the slope west of Black Pond climbing roughly 100 feet in elevation. At that point we set a course for the Lincoln Brook Trail. This small change made a huge difference. We were immediately out of the wet and muddy area around the pond, the hiking was in relatively open woods, and the small wet areas we did encounter were easily skirted. The bearing was 345 degrees and the target maximum elevation was 2100 feet. This course worked out great. I’ll plan to use this approach in the future. In a short period we were on the Lincoln Brook Trail with clean and dry boots. So far, we’re having a good day. And, the Lincoln Brook is running high.
Next, head for the Owl’s Head slide and stay dry on a couple stream crossings along the way. After a quick break following the bushwhack we set off for the slide. We worked through a couple mud pits along the way. Generally, there are logs or stones to use which will keep your feet clean and dry. In a couple cases the trail actually skirts the pits. We made it to the two final crossings before the slide. After searching upstream for more suitable crossing points we used the traditional places and managed to successfully get across (both would have been very difficult without poles). Soon we were at the base of the slide and enjoying a quick snack before the climb. While we were there a solo hiker came through, had a quick snack, and set off ahead of us on the slide.
The Owl’s Head slide is completely clear and mostly dry. There are a couple small flows coming down the slide but nothing that is creating a problem for climbing. The herd path was completely clear to just above the top of the slide where we encountered the first of many blowdowns. At approximately 3500 feet elevation we found a couple packs sitting on the side of the trail. As it turns out, MEB and Little Sister dropped their packs before heading to the summit. In a short distance we met them and Drew on their way back out. They indicated a plan to take the Brutus Bushwhack instead of the slide. We started thinking about taking the same exit plan. First, the summit. We continued through the blowdown field that exists toward the top of Owl’s Head. There are quite a few new ones that I don’t remember from my last couple trips, possibly a result of last winter’s storms. At approximately 3700 feet we came into a fairly complete snow and ice cover, easily bare booted with very limited postholing. Soon we were on the ridge and headed for the summit. Another blowdown field and Bobby had his #37 Four Thousand Footer. We enjoyed a break on the summit for pictures and a snack and soon prepared for the hike out. Along the way back across the ridge we decided the Brutus Bushwhack would be our exit.
‘Whack #2 – Brutus Bushwhack
The Brutus Bushwhack is always interesting. Reach an elevation that is below the blowdown field, take a generally southwest bearing, and dive into the spruce. There are some fairly thick and steep sections to work through. A couple times we came to drop-offs that required us to back off and offset north or south before continuing. Eventually, wooded sections opened up, then the birch glade, then the old wood road. We hiked back northwest along the wood road for a short distance and then turned left and headed straight down to the brook. We missed the trail and landed on the side of the brook roughly 200 feet downstream. Not much of a miss and we quickly recovered.
Back at the crossing it was clear the stream had come up a little in the course of the day (or a couple rocks had settled into the stream bottom a couple inches deeper). No big deal, we hit the high spots and successfully made the crossings, again. On the return hike along the Lincoln Brook Trail we made a quick stop to filter some water and otherwise made pretty good time to the lower crossing of the Lincoln Brook.
‘Whack #3 – Franconia Falls Bushwhack
Here, we started the third and final bushwhack of the day. From this location we took a bearing of 170 degrees. This course goes directly to Franconia Falls. And, it holds enough elevation to avoid the mud associated with the traditional Fisherman’s Bushwhack, which generally just follows the stream. The bushwhack passed through a mix of open and very thick sections. Generally, it was a mild downhill grade for the full distance. There were only a couple areas of mud that were easily avoided. We stayed on course and soon found ourselves at an elevation of 1600 feet on the hill above Franconia Falls (approx. elevation 1500 feet). All that was left was a walk straight down to the end of the Franconia Falls Trail. We’re now finished with the bushwhacks, and still having a good day.
We paid a visit to the falls for some pictures and to enjoy the place. It sure would have been nice if it were 30 to 40 degrees warmer. The water looked tempting, but cold. Soon we were heading down the trail to the junction with the Wilderness Trail, and then back to Lincoln Woods. We made a brief stop at the NEW Franconia Falls Bridge. Impressive! That thing will be around for quite a while.
Back at Lincoln Woods it didn’t take long for us to change into more comfortable footwear and prepare to leave. I believe Bobby and I were both interested in seeing the Celtics regain home court advantage. We said our goodbyes and were off.
Great hike Bobby, thanks. And, congratulations on #37, I hope we hike a few of the remaining ones together.
I've posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's pictures.
Straight to the slideshow.
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