Jazzbo
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Owls Head Ordeal 7/14/07
I don’t like posting long reports, but this was my first visit to Owls Head and it was a long hike. To keep short I won’t bother reporting stuff that everybody knows. We started at 8:00AM, but were detained 15 minutes when our group was flagged down by Forest Service and leader asked to show her Guide Card. This is unusual occurrence but is the second reported instance of this happening on AMC led trips … so AMC trip leaders beware!
We quickly made it to Black Pond and started bushwhacking on a 345 magnetic bearing. We shortly came across red spray-painted blazes closely following our bearing. In the interest of time we decided to follow the blazes checking the compass from time to time to verify they were correct. We popped out at Lincoln Brook about ½ mile below Lincoln Brook Trail crossing.
We worked our way up the Lincoln Brook Trail towards Owls Head slide. All stream crossings were easy and trails easy to follow. I’m map freak so I followed along closely paying close attention to terrain features and any signs of logging railroad activity my special interest while trying not to delay the group as time was critical to avoid bushwhacking in the dark on way out. I did see some interesting signs of “Old Camp 12” around where crowfoot shaped ravine between Mt Liberty and Little Haystack dumps into Lincoln Brook.
We reached base of Owls Head Slide at 12:15. We postponed rest stop and lunch until we ascended part way up the slide where there’s a nice ledge suitable for resting and lunch break with excellent views, cool breezes, and no bugs. Views to Franconia Ridge were fine and I took lots of great pictures. Bob Kittridge thought the Owls head Slide was steeper and dicier on account of the loose rock than ones on Tripyramids. Owls Head slide was steep. Steepness wouldn't have been bad, except steepness was coupled with piles of loose rock most everywhere along the route. Piles of rock much of it poised to start avalanche down on hapless people down below. Helmets would be little help here. Seems funny there hasn't been more injuries here as rescue parties to this remote area would be long and costly. Groups ascending/descending the slide should stay spaced wide apart to give time for people to get out of the chute in event of rockslide. There’s many portions of the slide chute don’t have means of escape.
We probably took too much time taking lunch on the ledge and at the two summits, but it was so nice up there. We returned to the base of the slide somewhat late at 4:45. We hustled returning to the Lincoln Brook stream crossing by 6:00. We decided to return via the fisherman’s bushwhack on account of the waning light. It was interesting following the river along here. The riverbanks generally offer firm footing as long as you stay outboard of the many braids of the riverbed. Seems like it would make a nice route for a regular trail. We reached Franconia Falls stopping briefly to admire the rock formations at the falls. We encountered three hikers at the bridge at junction of East and Franconia Branches who had just completed a Pemi Traverse. We could relate to them as had just completed a similarly arduous hike ourselves (although not as remarkable). We returned to Lincoln Brook TH at 8:30 making this a fabulous 12-hour day on the trail.
Pics are here!
I don’t like posting long reports, but this was my first visit to Owls Head and it was a long hike. To keep short I won’t bother reporting stuff that everybody knows. We started at 8:00AM, but were detained 15 minutes when our group was flagged down by Forest Service and leader asked to show her Guide Card. This is unusual occurrence but is the second reported instance of this happening on AMC led trips … so AMC trip leaders beware!
We quickly made it to Black Pond and started bushwhacking on a 345 magnetic bearing. We shortly came across red spray-painted blazes closely following our bearing. In the interest of time we decided to follow the blazes checking the compass from time to time to verify they were correct. We popped out at Lincoln Brook about ½ mile below Lincoln Brook Trail crossing.
We worked our way up the Lincoln Brook Trail towards Owls Head slide. All stream crossings were easy and trails easy to follow. I’m map freak so I followed along closely paying close attention to terrain features and any signs of logging railroad activity my special interest while trying not to delay the group as time was critical to avoid bushwhacking in the dark on way out. I did see some interesting signs of “Old Camp 12” around where crowfoot shaped ravine between Mt Liberty and Little Haystack dumps into Lincoln Brook.
We reached base of Owls Head Slide at 12:15. We postponed rest stop and lunch until we ascended part way up the slide where there’s a nice ledge suitable for resting and lunch break with excellent views, cool breezes, and no bugs. Views to Franconia Ridge were fine and I took lots of great pictures. Bob Kittridge thought the Owls head Slide was steeper and dicier on account of the loose rock than ones on Tripyramids. Owls Head slide was steep. Steepness wouldn't have been bad, except steepness was coupled with piles of loose rock most everywhere along the route. Piles of rock much of it poised to start avalanche down on hapless people down below. Helmets would be little help here. Seems funny there hasn't been more injuries here as rescue parties to this remote area would be long and costly. Groups ascending/descending the slide should stay spaced wide apart to give time for people to get out of the chute in event of rockslide. There’s many portions of the slide chute don’t have means of escape.
We probably took too much time taking lunch on the ledge and at the two summits, but it was so nice up there. We returned to the base of the slide somewhat late at 4:45. We hustled returning to the Lincoln Brook stream crossing by 6:00. We decided to return via the fisherman’s bushwhack on account of the waning light. It was interesting following the river along here. The riverbanks generally offer firm footing as long as you stay outboard of the many braids of the riverbed. Seems like it would make a nice route for a regular trail. We reached Franconia Falls stopping briefly to admire the rock formations at the falls. We encountered three hikers at the bridge at junction of East and Franconia Branches who had just completed a Pemi Traverse. We could relate to them as had just completed a similarly arduous hike ourselves (although not as remarkable). We returned to Lincoln Brook TH at 8:30 making this a fabulous 12-hour day on the trail.
Pics are here!
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