Owls Head best guesses

[ctsparrow]

Alot of folks seeking info...anyone been near OH lately? or have seen the slide from Franconia ridge. Plan to whack to avoid many water crossings, but don't want to waste time if slide is not doable...i am not familiar with the winter route. Thought maybe can whack through trees next to slide if need be. Will have traction and poles etc, but it will be a long day with my son if we get turned around! thanks, ctsparrow

 

[una_dogger]

We did it about two weeks ago and the slide was free and clear. There was still a good bit of snow above the slide.

Happy Trails,
Sabrina

 

[Paradox]

IMHO making uphill progress bushwhacking in the top 1/3 of the slide is a very difficult thing to do.

 

[una_dogger]

Actually it wasn't too bad. Above the slide there was a solid light rail and we packed it down further on the way in and out. The spring was running strong so there was some water coming down that part of the trail. But, since the slide is free of any snow, you shouldn't need to whack. Hopefully you can still follow our trail up. We did whack a bit from about 3700 feet to the right of a large blowdown area through some moderate spruce -- heading up and to the left a bit until we hit the ridge, where we followed it easily to the old and new summits. The whack part was only about five minutes or so. Nothing major.


Have fun with your son!

 

[ctsparrow]

Thanks Una Dogger and Paradox, I'm debating beating the bugs and helping my son get this one now, or going up to Waumbek and attempting to get over to South Weeks as well. Not sure how the snow if any will be off the back side of Waumbek. ctsparrow

 

[MichaelJ]

Ja, the slide was fine, just watch out because there's a lot of loose rocks and gravel on it, which get left every winter and settle down over summer.

If you find yourself at all in doubt after the slide as to where the "trail" is, just keep heading up. The ridgeline to the south of the traditional summit is easy, open woods. Get to the top and turn north and you'll find it, though there's one nasty spot you'll have to skirt around to the right (east).