Owl's Head to #13 Falls (Lincoln Brook Trail)

[roadtripper]

Has anybody done the Lincoln Brook Trail from the Owl's Head Path to #13 Falls in the last year or so? I've heard some stories about people getting totally lost on this rough trail north of the Owl's head junction. I'm not very good with a compass quite yet, so that's not really an option.

Also, is it much harder to spot the Owl's Head Path coming from the north or south? (i.e. should we attempt to climb Owl's Head from #13 Falls or from the south?)

Also, is Owl's head even do-able right now (assuming I don't do the bushwack from Franconia Falls) based on the high water levels?

Thanks

 

[DiamondRidge]

We're doing it next week. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Drumhaggart]

Do-able this past weekend

After seeing my Trail Conditions entry of a few weeks ago, one of the non-member readers contacted me last week with questions about the hike.

Yesterday he e-mailed to say that he, his wife, and their canine companion did, in fact, complete the trip without incident (although it did take them 12+ hours). I believe they took the traditional route via the southern portion of the Lincoln Brook Trail.

I'd monitor the volume/height of the East Branch with the USGS Water Watch website just to get an idea whether the streams are running high.

Steve

 

[Frodo]

The last time I did that section of the Lincoln Brook Trail from 13 Falls to the OH Slide was last summer, and it was quite overgrown and a little difficult to follow around the height of land. There was orange flagging up in this area with a large “FS” marked on it, which I assume the Forrest Service put up probably to mark where to have some trail work done?

Besides that one section (maybe a 100 yards), most of it was easy to follow.

Regarding finding the OH Slide, if there is not a cairn still marking it (it comes and goes), you can tell by the way the Lincoln Brook Trail changes from a little used herd path North of the Slide spur, to a regular worn trail South of it. It’s tough to miss regarding on the direction your going.

If your looking the easiest way to climb it, then I would suggest going out and back from the South which is the way 95% of the people climb it.

If you are looking for the more interesting way to climb it, I would do the loop you are suggesting and head around from 13 falls and out via the South.

I would also suggest skipping the Black Pond bushwhack unless you know the water crossings are going to be high and just stick to the trails. The water crossings are rarely an issue in the summer (might have been an issue 2 weeks ago with all of the rain). The Black Pond bushwhack is the way to go in the winter and spring though…

Enjoy your hike!

 

[roadtripper]

Received this reply from a non-member:

"Responding to your post on vftt (not a member so cant respond there)..My son and I tried to go from Owls Head to 13 Falls June 17 and got badly lost around the height of land. Finally found the trail again enough to turn around and head back. Real bummer. Another hiker had the same experience the day before. I am taking a map and compass course next weekend in hopes I can bushwack my way through next time. Feel free to add this comment to vftt..I add my details for your edification."

Seems like quite an adventure based on what everybody's saying. I'll have to think hard about doing this....

 

[Becca M]

update: 13 Falls to OH path

Yesterday on the Owl's Head summit we came across the caretaker for 13 Falls. He had just hiked the route from 13 Falls to the OH path and said he was working on some maintenance tasks on that route. So, it seems like the "powers that be" are aware that that section of trail needs some work.

--Becca