Owl's Head

[dvbl]

I've read in Stephen Smith and Mike Dickerman's NH 4k'ers book some harsh words about Owl's Head. I'm going from memory here, so the quotes are probably not exact, but one said, "Owl's Head is everything that a mountain shouldn't be." Another said, "Owl's Head is a mountain with every reason to be humble." And just today my wife said it looks like "a mud-pile with trees on it."

Why does this mountain get so little respect? Where's the love?

Let's keep it civil. None of that "dogs-on-the-trails debate" ugliness.

 

[pilgrim]

Steve Smith doesn't have as bad an opinion of Owl's Head as you might think. One of the chapters in his book Wandering Through the White Mountains is entitled Falling in Love with Owl's Head.

Mike Dickerman is, I think, another story.

 

[Pamola]

I'll admit I have incredibly mixed feelings about Owl's Head, so let's start with the negative.
The thing stymied me twice before I got to the top, so it's somewhat personal. It's a haul in to heave, huff, and puff up a slide that gives Abol a run for its money. After that, all one's treated to is a flat spot and a small cairn to reflect on this great accomplishment, while still huffing and puffing. The views are iffy, the trails are iffier, and there's still a part of me that considers it my nemesis til the end. On my deathbed, I fully intend to be shaking a fist at this lump of a peak.

Positive!
The dynamic between a hiker and a difficult peak is not one to be underestimated. It may be a rounded piece of glacial doo-doo surrounded by some of the most beautiful peaks in the east, but it's still arguably the hardest and longest trailed peak in the state. Peakbaggers save it for last with a sense of terror and foreboding, hikers on the twins and Franconia look down with a curiousity that will never be sated.
Bottom line is, it's the heart of the pemi, and to me, that's the heart of the whites. Harder to find a more beautiful and secluded place than that. And really, where would Superman be without Lex Luthor, He-man without Skeletor, and peakbaggers without Owl's Head?

We all need a nemesis.

 

[Paradox]

It is a long, but easy and fast walk into the trailhead, no problems getting water for your dogs along the way . Make sure you stop at the top of the slide for lunch and you will have great views without any evidence of human encroachment. Then after walking along the ridgeline you can debate and caterwaul for a lifetime as to whether the small lump near the slide is a foot higher or lower than the small lump about .2 miles north. It is a good mountain!

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I don't think Owls Head has a bad rap from those who hike frequently in the Whites. Granted, I think if you polled those who do at least one round of the 4's each year that it wouldn't be in anyone's top 10. However, because of its remoteness and lack of views some may think of reasons to motivate them. For example - the first time I did it was over the trails to the cairn and then up the slide. The views of the Franconia ridgeline from the slide are interesting, but didn't care for all the river crossings, so - the next 3 or 4 times was via the Fisherman's route and that made it a bit more fun and challenging, but I must admit I got sick of getting slapped in the face by branches from all the saplings along the brooks. Then, the next few times was via the Black Pond bushwhack, and now the challenge on that route is: 1) can I avoid the mucky parts (which can be mucky even in February) and 2) can I manage to avoid the thick scrub in the last 1/4 mile before it intersects the Lincoln Brook trail? So, I guess I'm saying that making a game of the bushwhack helps make this mountain 'fun'.

So, would I do Owls Head if I just wanted to get out for a hike - no. But, if there's a reason, such as it's part of a current round of hikes, or one of my friends 'needs it' - certainly I'd go. There's also a certain amount of pleasure taking from grumbling as you walk that last 3 miles of the Wilderness trail "why in the world did I do Owls Head again?"!

 

[Bob]

One of my favorites

Owl's head was one of my favorites, the remoteness, camping nearby, fishing in the streams, an awesome lightning storm, drinking a little JD...the rest can't be posted here
A memorable 4th of July without the crowds.

Mike Dickerman also gave the 'mountains' of the Holyoke Range a bad write up also, it was pretty elitist...

 

[chipc]

what's not to love?

Have done it once solo and will absolutely do it again because. Here's my top 5 highlights:

5) 18+ miles and I didn't meet one person

4) nice view across Black Pond

3) got to pat self on back for doing first bushwack (ok - due North until you hit Lincoln Brook is not exactly challenging, but...)

2) beautiful walk along river

1) numerous opportunities to sit and look at the Franconia Ridge every time I slipped coming down the slide

 

[Tom Rankin]

Have done it once solo and will absolutely do it again because. Here's my top 5 highlights:

5) 18+ miles and I didn't meet one person

4) nice view across Black Pond

3) got to pat self on back for doing first bushwack (ok - due North until you hit Lincoln Brook is not exactly challenging, but...)

2) beautiful walk along river

1) numerous opportunities to sit and look at the Franconia Ridge every time I slipped coming down the slide

5. Unfortunately a lot of people 'accompanied' me both times I was there
4. Agree
3. Didn't go that way
2. Agree
1. Agree!

 

[JohnL]

When I go up Owl's Head, I add a bit more to the hike by doing a circumnavigation. That way, I get to see the 13 Falls area and only add a couple more miles to the Owl's Head hike. I finished my first round of 48 on Owl's Head, merely by happenstance, so it has a special place in my hiking heart.

JohnL

 

[Puck]

Owl's head was one of my favorites, the remoteness, camping nearby, fishing in the streams,...

Hey Bob could you please write more on this please?

Did you bring in a packable 3 or 5 weight? What did you use, nymphs, dry flies? Or did you use spinning tackle in those pools?

Don't worry I am catch and release...they will still be there for you

 

[Jim lombard]

Great wilderness hike and even some nice views from the top. I'm headed there again on Saturday.

 

[Mike P.]

I'm thinking if I do a bottom 10 of the 48, it's in the bottom 8, joining Cabot, Galehead, Passaconaway, Waumbek, Tecumseh South Hancock, Middle Tri, East Osceola & Zealand - in no particular order. (Some of those are add ons to better peaks too.)

Brook crossing that often (not always. maybe 30% of the time) require taking boots off or getting them soaked, while the 18 miles are not hard physically they don't get my heart racing like a great view. The view from the slide of Franconia Ridge IMO is not nearly as dramatic as that from Lonesome Lake or the top of Cannon Cliff

John, the loop add three almost 4 miles I believe. Did that the first time around. I suspect I'll do OH 4-6 x only in the course of my life.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Great wilderness hike and even some nice views from the top. I'm headed there again on Saturday.

Wow, that's a great shot, Jim. How'd you get that one - have to climb a tree?

I have to say - I've been to Owls Head 3 times in winter, and they've always been cold, miserable days. Been up there in 3 seasons in sunny weather, but always thought the views were limited to just the slide.

 

[Jim lombard]

Hi Kevin,
nope, there was snow covering a couple of humps that day, I just stood on top of it and snapped. I think Bob (bob&geri) has a nice picture too. Having just come back from FOT48 and visiting the exact same spot, the view is just not the same in summer. From the new summit though you can see Lincoln and Lafayette to the west and Bondcliff and Bond to the east. You have to look through branches, but still, a view is a view.

 

[Artex]

I've only done it once, but look forward to doing it again. I thought it was a really enjoyable hike.

 

[skibones]

I thought the hike itself wasn't so bad. I think it's the length-18 miles that makes it tough.

 

[Jim lombard]

Sometimes in the winter it can actually be easier than in summer. With the Black Pond bushwhack, frozen crossings and a packed trail it can be quicker. Plus, Lincoln brook is particularly beautiful in winter.

 

[skibones]

Sometimes in the winter it can actually be easier than in summer. With the Black Pond bushwhack, frozen crossings and a packed trail it can be quicker. Plus, Lincoln brook is particularly beautiful in winter.

That was our thought when we were doing the hike last week. The snow would make the trip faster.

 

[DougPaul]

That was our thought when we were doing the hike last week. The snow would make the trip faster.

Unless you have to break trail...

Doug

 

[Jim lombard]

Unless you have to break trail...

Doug

Agreed, that would slog if you had to break trail. You could hide in the parking lot and wait for a large group to head out first Or hike it on Sunday providing it doesn't snow Saturday night.