OverUnder
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I hiked Owl's head last weekend (7/3) as part of a 3-day trip over Franconia and Garfield Ridges. Because of the Forest Service's removal of blazes, signs, and cairns, the Owl's Head path is not easy to find. I met about 10 other people similarly lost in the 1/2 mile area where we all though the side trail would be. 3 maps, a GPS unit and nearly a dozen experienced hikers overlooked some obvious and some not-so-obvious indications of the junction with Owl's Head path. After finally bushwhacking up the steep, 45 degree hillside, I would not wish that on anyone else 
Lincoln Brook Trail condition (North of Owl's Head Path)
(From 13 Falls, Going South) Generally clear and easy to follow with some grass and fern overgrowth in places. The trail leapfrog's a brook for about 1/4 mile (basically you're walking on top of the brook) and may not be as easy to identify. Eventually leaves the brook and bears left (East) when you reach the height-of-land. Some flooded trail with heavy mud or standing water. First crossing of Lincoln Brook is very flooded. Check for blazes as you cross the river to identify where the trail continues on the other side as it's not easily visible.
Finding Owl's Head Path (From 13 Falls, Going South)
After the 2nd crossing of Lincoln Brook you follow the river off & on for about a mile. About half a mile in there's a small clearing with heavy mud and a lot of foot traffic extending into the woods about 20-50'. This is NOT the junction with Owl's Head Path. Continue on about another 1/4 mile. You will pass a large cave-in where the river eroded under the trail and a 5-8' wide section collapsed. About 50' farther you'll find another clearing with a no-camping sign. Less than 20 yards farther South you may see a small cairn in the trail (it may be removed on the Foresty Service's next visit, so use the clearing and no-camping sign as a guide). The cairn marks the beginning of the path which heads into the woods following a brook for a short ways. At this point you should see a more obvious trail, otherwise follow the brook uphill to the Owl's Head slide (10-30' wide orange rockslide with loose rocks).
Lincoln Brook Trail condition (South of Owl's Head Path)
The trail is very gradual, wide and well-marked. 2 difficult river crossings over Franconia Brook and the nearest crossing (first if you're going North) of Lincoln Brook. These are both somewhat difficult to cross by boulder-hopping and you may be better off wading barefoot (I got a nasty scrape falling from a slippery rock).
Finding Owl's Head Path (From Franconia Brook Trail Junction, Going North)
After the 2nd crossing of Lincoln Brook (3rd major river crossing - 1st is Franconia Brook) you follow within earshot of the river for about 1/4 mile. You'll cross a small brook flowing in from the right. A little further you may see a small cairn on the trail and a clearing to your left where people clearly have camped. The cairn marks the beginning of the path which heads into the woods following a brook for a short ways. At this point you should see a more obvious trail, otherwise follow the brook uphill to the Owl's Head slide (10-30' wide orange rockslide with loose rocks). If you miss the turnoff and continue on Lincoln Brook you'll hit a spot with a large cave-in where the river has eroded the bank and about a 5-8' section of the trail has collapsed. You've gone about 100' too far.
Summary
Non-Permanent Indications of Owl's Head Junction
Small cairn in trail
Small no-camping sign on tree in clearing west of trail
Permanent Indications of Owl's Head Junction
You're about 30' from the river, about 8' elevation higher
Small clearing west of trail large enough for a couple tents
Small brook flowing southwest from the east until it intersects with the trail
About 1/4 mile north of Lincoln Brook crossing
About 3/4 mile south of Lincoln Brook crossing
About 100' South of trail cave-in
NOTE: You CANNOT see the rock slide from any point on Lincoln Brook Trail! It's about 100 yards into the Owl's Head path.
Hope this info. helps people. Happy hiking!
Lincoln Brook Trail condition (North of Owl's Head Path)
(From 13 Falls, Going South) Generally clear and easy to follow with some grass and fern overgrowth in places. The trail leapfrog's a brook for about 1/4 mile (basically you're walking on top of the brook) and may not be as easy to identify. Eventually leaves the brook and bears left (East) when you reach the height-of-land. Some flooded trail with heavy mud or standing water. First crossing of Lincoln Brook is very flooded. Check for blazes as you cross the river to identify where the trail continues on the other side as it's not easily visible.
Finding Owl's Head Path (From 13 Falls, Going South)
After the 2nd crossing of Lincoln Brook you follow the river off & on for about a mile. About half a mile in there's a small clearing with heavy mud and a lot of foot traffic extending into the woods about 20-50'. This is NOT the junction with Owl's Head Path. Continue on about another 1/4 mile. You will pass a large cave-in where the river eroded under the trail and a 5-8' wide section collapsed. About 50' farther you'll find another clearing with a no-camping sign. Less than 20 yards farther South you may see a small cairn in the trail (it may be removed on the Foresty Service's next visit, so use the clearing and no-camping sign as a guide). The cairn marks the beginning of the path which heads into the woods following a brook for a short ways. At this point you should see a more obvious trail, otherwise follow the brook uphill to the Owl's Head slide (10-30' wide orange rockslide with loose rocks).
Lincoln Brook Trail condition (South of Owl's Head Path)
The trail is very gradual, wide and well-marked. 2 difficult river crossings over Franconia Brook and the nearest crossing (first if you're going North) of Lincoln Brook. These are both somewhat difficult to cross by boulder-hopping and you may be better off wading barefoot (I got a nasty scrape falling from a slippery rock).
Finding Owl's Head Path (From Franconia Brook Trail Junction, Going North)
After the 2nd crossing of Lincoln Brook (3rd major river crossing - 1st is Franconia Brook) you follow within earshot of the river for about 1/4 mile. You'll cross a small brook flowing in from the right. A little further you may see a small cairn on the trail and a clearing to your left where people clearly have camped. The cairn marks the beginning of the path which heads into the woods following a brook for a short ways. At this point you should see a more obvious trail, otherwise follow the brook uphill to the Owl's Head slide (10-30' wide orange rockslide with loose rocks). If you miss the turnoff and continue on Lincoln Brook you'll hit a spot with a large cave-in where the river has eroded the bank and about a 5-8' section of the trail has collapsed. You've gone about 100' too far.
Summary
Non-Permanent Indications of Owl's Head Junction
Small cairn in trail
Small no-camping sign on tree in clearing west of trail
Permanent Indications of Owl's Head Junction
You're about 30' from the river, about 8' elevation higher
Small clearing west of trail large enough for a couple tents
Small brook flowing southwest from the east until it intersects with the trail
About 1/4 mile north of Lincoln Brook crossing
About 3/4 mile south of Lincoln Brook crossing
About 100' South of trail cave-in
NOTE: You CANNOT see the rock slide from any point on Lincoln Brook Trail! It's about 100 yards into the Owl's Head path.
Hope this info. helps people. Happy hiking!
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