Owls Head Slide

[kaseri]

After reading the most recent trip reports regarding Owls Head I see that the junction of the Slide is no longer marked. I've been to Owls Head in the past but I don't remember how this junction area looked other than some downed trees across the trail and two large markers. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to find the slide now that there are no markers to be found?

 

[nartreb]

Without the cairn the exact spot is not too remarkable; I have a memory of some gravel (must have washed down from somewhere...) just before a stand of (hemlock? fir?). You need to be aware of your distance: it's 0.4 miles after the trail crosses to the east side of Lincoln Brook.

Look for lots of footprints heading east

 

[Darl58]

Look for the fallen tree....I think you'll find it no problem. It's pretty tracked up this time of year. You should be able to see the slide and it starts up the left side as you face it. The cairn was there...on the side of the trail.

Forgot to mention...make sure you go to the "True new summit!"

If all else fails...look for the keg! Oh maybe we drank it all hmmm, okay bad idea!


http://picasaweb.google.com/hikerdd13/SummerSolsticeHike#5215124966570892786

 

[kaseri]

The "true" summit is why I am going back. I looked at your photos and it seems that the area you were at (with the stone bench) is not the true summit. Is that correct?

 

[rocket21]

Going northbound on the Lincoln Brook Trail, this will be on your right just before the beginning of the path to the slide:

Here's what the first part of the path looks like:

 

[leaf]

The "true" summit is why I am going back. I looked at your photos and it seems that the area you were at (with the stone bench) is not the true summit. Is that correct?

right, the "old" summit is where the bench is. look for the new sign and the mushrooms. the path is pretty well beaten down to it. you should have no problem finding it. it's towards the, what.. north? i think?

if there's strange foam on the ground, it has holland origins..

 

[kaseri]

How many water crossings are there? I can't remember how many there are.

 

[nartreb]

How many water crossings are there? I can't remember how many there are.

Lots. thorough route description by a really swell guy

 

[Kurchian]

Coordinates of intersection?

Perhaps a kind person could post the coordinates of the intersection of the Lincoln Brook trail and the slide.

 

[kaseri]

I wasn't sure that I would remember the slide area but I recognized the slide area before I even saw the cairn at the base. This time out the water crossings were much easier.

I also realized that I actually like hiking out to Owls Head!

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Perhaps a kind person could post the coordinates of the intersection of the Lincoln Brook trail and the slide.

These are the coordinates that I picked up right at the cairn:
Lat. 44.13750 N
Long. 071.61584 W

 

[DougPaul]

These are the coordinates that I picked up right at the cairn:
Lat. 44.13750 N
Long. 071.61584 W

Datum?

Doug

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Datum?

Doug

Map Datum WGS84

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Lots. thorough route description by a really swell guy

Nartreb - Your summitpost description contains the following statement: "You can avoid the two difficult stream crossings at the cost of increasing your approach time."

I've done the so-called Fisherman's trail and the Black Pond 'whack in different seasons and conditions. In my experience, I found those routes faster, and definitely safer than the trails, especially if stream flows are high, or the rivers are still open in winter.

But, as they say - everyone's mileage varies.

 

[BIGEarl]

Nartreb - Your summitpost description contains the following statement: "You can avoid the two difficult stream crossings at the cost of increasing your approach time."

I've done the so-called Fisherman's trail and the Black Pond 'whack in different seasons and conditions. In my experience, I found those routes faster, and definitely safer than the trails, especially if stream flows are high, or the rivers are still open in winter.

But, as they say - everyone's mileage varies.

I completely agree. The bushwhacks in each direction save time and distance.

As far as the location of the slide is concerned, it's very obvious. There are three trees next to the trail at the base of the slide that were painted with arrows pointing the way. Somebody came in and scraped the painted arrows from the trees. Now, there are three trees with light brown arrows pointing the way.

Here is one example.

Here is another.

This shows relative size of the arrows.

Three trees scarred like this, very close together, and next to the trail are tough to miss.

 

[nartreb]

In my experience, I found [fisherman's trail and black pond] routes faster,

That surprises me. Most folks slow down an awful lot when they're bushwhacking. For me, there's no comparison, last time up that trail I literally ran
the whole way to the last crossing. I haven't tried the bushwhacks, but I've been to Black Pond and remember lots of confusing tracks in various directions. I'd be going slow and checking my compass frequently.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

That surprises me. Most folks slow down an awful lot when they're bushwhacking. For me, there's no comparison, last time up that trail I literally ran
the whole way to the last crossing. I haven't tried the bushwhacks, but I've been to Black Pond and remember lots of confusing tracks in various directions. I'd be going slow and checking my compass frequently.

Of the two 'whacks, I've found the Black Pond to be much faster. On the Fisherman's route you don't need a compass as you're following the brooks, and will intersect the main trail. You don't really need a compass on the Black Pond route, at least in winter and after you're familiar with the route, except perhaps toward the end of it as you meet the trail. You can use the rocky cliffs (the actual "Owls Head") as a guide for much of the way when the leaves are off the trees.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

I agree that both OH bushwhacks can save distance and time, unless you can run the trails and the water levels are low. But, I think that the Black Pond bushwhack is much more open and easier to follow than bulldozing through the denser vegetation on the Fisherperson's bushwhack, although BP has more up and down. Also, ignore the red blazes at the south end of the BP bushwhack, as the blazes curve around to the east off route.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Kevin: I would imagine that the Brutus bushwhack refers to your Brutus. Where does this whack begin? How does it compare with the slide. Also, was wondering if anybody had any beta on the east side bushwhack that I've heard rumors about. I've heard that whack can knock a couple of miles off each way.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Kevin: I would imagine that the Brutus bushwhack refers to your Brutus. Where does this whack begin? How does it compare with the slide. Also, was wondering if anybody had any beta on the east side bushwhack that I've heard rumors about. I've heard that whack can knock a couple of miles off each way.

Ed - Yes, it does. We needed to find an alternative route to the traditional slide. We tried that one winter and the slide was all iced up. After the first 100 yards or so of sketchy footing, he refused to go any further.

The Brutus Bushwhack begins about 25 yards past the last brook crossing, or about a mile (+/-) from the traditional slide route. Make a 90 degree turn from the trail, go up a steep, brushy bank for about 1-200 yards, and the woods should open up to white birches. Look for an old logging road that angles up the right. At one point it enters a thicket but will reappear. Eventually, about where the spruces begin, you turn left, and follow the contour towards the bootleg trail. At this point you'll be above the slide. Avoid the temptation to climb too high in to the spruces as there are lots of blowdowns and you'll waste time. The goal at the this point is to intersect the bootleg trail.

Slabbing along the contour is tricky in places, as this is a steep hillside. There's lots of branch-grabbing as you go along.

Does it save time/mileage? Well, I think most who do use it find that it does save some time, but mileage? It might save a mile or two because it's somewhat more direct, but you still have to end up on the peak. Personally, I think it's an easier route, especially in winter. And, if you have a dog, it's one you can take him/her on without being too concerned you're going to encounter a wall of ice.

I know Dr. Dasypodidae and Big Earl as well as others have done it. Perhaps if they see this post they'll add their comments re: the pros and cons of it.

Perhaps this .jpg will make it clearer. The slide route in about where "Lincoln Brook Trail" is written in small print on the map.

PS - for those doing the slide in 3 seasons, Rocket21's pictures are excellent for showing what the woods will look like, as well as the beginning of the slide "trail".