Owls Head Nov 17

[ImYourHuckleberry]

Went into Owls Head today from Lincoln Woods, taking both the Black Pond and Brutus "bushwhacks". First time on both for me, but they were easy to find and follow. I went up Brutus and down the slide, then banged a right and went out past 13 Falls for a full day. It was much harder following the Lincoln Brook Trail between the slide and 13 Falls than either bushwhack. I also forgot how rugged that section was. But overall it was a pretty nice day. No snow until over 3k feet and then only a dusting at that. Some water ice here and there but I never needed to put spikes on.

 

[KRooney]

I've only been on that section going over to 13 Falls once, and that was many years ago. Lots of minor ups and downs and nearly overgrown even then.

 

[ImYourHuckleberry]

I've only been on that section going over to 13 Falls once, and that was many years ago. Lots of minor ups and downs and nearly overgrown even then.

Where I had trouble following the trail it's sort of like a boulder field in a bog, so there is really no worn footpath to follow. And lots of fallen leaves obscuring where you might be able to discern traffic. Also one time I missed a stream crossing. Took me a moment to realize I was off trail but I got that worked out quick enough.

 

[helmethiker]

I have read about bushwhacking north off Owls Head to the 13 Falls area. It was part of a proposed or actual route for a Pemi peak loop, as opposed to the normal Pemi trail loop.

 

[KRooney]

I have read about bushwhacking north off Owls Head to the 13 Falls area. It was part of a proposed or actual route for a Pemi peak loop, as opposed to the normal Pemi trail loop.

The first time I did Owls Head was in June, 1997. A large group of us needed either Owls Head, the Bonds or both. The plan was for everyone to meet at Galehead Hut for the evening. I needed both, so I headed with a group of about 6 or 7 or 7 for Owls Head. None of us knew of any shortcuts, so we followed the trail and made 3 rather difficult brook crossings, and then went up the slide. At the time, most of my friends held maps and compasses in disdain so at the top we used the cliffs of Bondcliff as a marker, and headed for them, knowing that eventually we'd hit the river and a trail on the other side leading to 13 Falls. As I recall, it was very steep and we did alot of "hangin" on to small spruces on the way down. We crossed a few old skidder trails, and eventually came to the river. We crossed it, found the trail, made a left to 13 Falls, and then made the steep pull up to Galehead. In the morning a group of about 6 or 8 of us climbed S. Twin and then the Bonds, eventually making it to Lincoln Woods. We were quite tired, but we had a lot of fun!

 

[DayTrip]

I have read about bushwhacking north off Owls Head to the 13 Falls area. It was part of a proposed or actual route for a Pemi peak loop, as opposed to the normal Pemi trail loop.

I contemplated a hike in this area with the ridge that I was calling a Pemi Donut. Once I took into account how little I enjoy the bowl of the Pemi area and the mileage that got scrapped.