Question about getting to Owls Head

[B the Hiker]

Hi all,

Four of us have plans to do Owls Head on Saturday, but I am very concerned about the continuing reports of deep snow.

Is Owls Head simply out of reach right now? I'm worried it's going to take us so long to break that we'll either be exhausted or won't make the summit before dark because it's going to take us so long to get there.

Second question, after the bushwhack, we get back on the trail and take a left, is there some marking as to where we are supposed to cross the stream? I did it last year as a backpack, and frankly, I think the trail was broken out, and I'm worried about missing the turn.

Any advice?



Brian

 

[RoySwkr]

Is Owls Head simply out of reach right now? I'm worried it's going to take us so long to break that we'll either be exhausted or won't make the summit before dark because it's going to take us so long to get there.

Second question, after the bushwhack, we get back on the trail and take a left, is there some marking as to where we are supposed to cross the stream? I did it last year as a backpack, and frankly, I think the trail was broken out, and I'm worried about missing the turn.

Not knowing your group, I can't say whether it's too far or not. Surely there are groups of 4 on this board who could easily break the whole thing.

There are several brook crossings between the bushwhack and the slide which can possibly cause confusion, and at least one place where there is a summer relo to avoid mud that the old route may be as good in winter but could cause confusion.

Obviously OH like other peaks is easier if previously broken out by someone who knows where to go

Only you can decide whether to go for it or to do something easier and wait

 

[HockeyPuck]

The AMC has scheduled an Owl's head hike for this Saturday. I'm not sure how big the group is but you might want to consider tagging along (or giving them a head start).

http://trips.outdoors.org/index.cfm/method/search.fullview/tripid/23022/preview/preview/

 

[David Metsky]

The AMC has scheduled an Owl's head hike for this Saturday. I'm not sure how big the group is but you might want to consider tagging along (or giving them a head start).

Tagging along isn't a good idea for a trip like this. If you want to join them, contact Ed and register.

 

[HockeyPuck]

Dave,

Thanks for restructuring my intentions in better words than my own. I certainly didn't mean to suggest poaching the AMC hike.

 

[bryan]

Second question, after the bushwhack, we get back on the trail and take a left, is there some marking as to where we are supposed to cross the stream?

are you speaking of the bushwack from black pond? if so you should be on the lincoln brook trail a good ways before any of the subsequent crossings (and hit the trail just past lincoln brook crossing).
i'll bet that amc trip will have a pretty big crew. with four of you and those guys out there breaking as well i'd think you could get to owls head just fine, though i'm ignorant of the current snow depths up north. in my experience it can be a popular peak on winter weekends making what was expected to be an epic day a pretty moderate (though long) snowshoe.
have fun.

bryan

 

[B the Hiker]

We will postpone Owls Head for another day.

Two years ago I attempted the trip under virtually the exact same conditions. We started before sunrise and the breaking took so long we got to the slide very late. It was an epic struggle, and we turned after the sun started to set and we still weren't halfway up it.

I just spoke with one of Hiker Ed's fellow leaders, and it isn't official yet, but I think they are going to postpone. There's concern about letting the snow on the slide consolidate, and I think that concern is dead on!

A full AMC group plus some others could definite reach the mountain, but at some point you have to ask what the cost is.

I have a call into Ed, who's out hiking right now (of course!), and if after our conversation Ed thinks it's doable, I might be convinced to give it a try. But for the moment, I'll be looking at other mountains for Saturday.

Thank you for all your comments!


Brian

 

[sierra]

I was just curious, I have done Owl's head 3 times, but not in the last 15years. When I did do it, I followed the lincoln brook trail with no difficulty, why does everyone bushwack from Blackpond?

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Nobody wants to fall into Lincoln Brook (or Franconia Brook)

Tim

 

[sierra]

Ill take it your being serious, you mean in the winter or year round?

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Well, it's less distance too, but arguably not any faster (in summer). If the BW is broken out then it is definitely faster (in winter).

I wouldn't want to fall into ANY brook in winter. In summer, maybe on the way home it wouldn't be a bad thing.

"I am serious, and stop calling me Shirley."

Tim

 

[sierra]

thanks for the feedback, I agree falling into a brook in the winter can be a problem. I guess, I just rarely bushwack, I mean, I hate bushwacking, Iknow Im from new england but I never bushwack, Unless Im lost.

 

[Becca M]

It could be pretty crowded on O/H this Saturday!!!!

 

[bobandgeri]

There's concern about letting the snow on the slide consolidate, and I think that concern is dead on!

I'd be suprised if they did the slide. Most people take the Brutus Bushwhack, or make their own and bypass the slide. Busy this weekend but if you want company some other Saturday we'd be glad to tag along - it's one of our favorite peaks.

 

[RoySwkr]

I was just curious, I have done Owl's head 3 times, but not in the last 15years. When I did do it, I followed the lincoln brook trail with no difficulty, why does everyone bushwack from Blackpond?

As mentioned, avoiding stream crossings is the usual reason although you also avoid the mosquito hellholes near the old Camp 9

Incidentally I prefer the "Fisherman's Path" as being easier in summer, and in the winter I think the fastest route is up from Hellgate Brook if snow conditions are suitable - it's a couple miles shorter and can be skied more easily

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I have heard through the grapevine that Owl's Head is NOT broken out as described in a trail condition report herein.

Tim

 

[Mats Roing]

Last weekend, Jason Ferris, Farmer and I went up Osseo Trail to Flume and then we bushwacked from the low point between Flume and Liberty down to Lincoln Brook Trail (about a mile from the OH slide). Then we went back to LW over the Black Pond bushwack. Most of Osseo Trail we broke out and then it was broken out from Black Pond. Of course a foot or so of snow came afterwards. We had a late start (after 10 am) and came back to LW before it got dark (barely). The bushwack from the ridge down to Lincoln Brook Trail was not too bad. Sometimes hip deep in snow but mostly just to the knees.

Breaking trail is fun though.....Owl's Head is pretty much protected from the elements so as long as you are prepared for spending the night out (in case something happens) there shouldn't be any issues going to OH regardless if broken out or not.

 

[Snowflea]

I'd be suprised if they did the slide. Most people take the Brutus Bushwhack, or make their own and bypass the slide.

For real? I always took the slide up/down and enjoyed it immensely.

To answer the first poster's question, if you can make it up Denali, Owls Head in winter should be well within you reach. Jus' sayin'.

 

[leaf]

i was going to write something very sarcastic. instead i'll say, i agree with stinkyfeet.

is the sultana ridge broken out?

ooops! there i went and made a sarcastic comment.

 

[B the Hiker]

In the end, Hiker Ed (Ed Hawkins) decided we should all have a go of it, and a group of something like seventeen of us headed off for Owls Head. I was part of a group of four who spent the night at Subsig, and we got slammed with very high winds on 302 in the morning that blew a shocking amount of snow onto the roads--and the driveway, where we spent close to 25 minutes trying to push a car out of a very slippery driveway. Couldn't go faster than 45 on 302 or 3, and then once we got though Franconia Notch the roads were perfectly dry!

Anyhow, sighted summit, sank same! I'm glad we had a very big group though, because breaking out the mountain was quite tough!

Ed did a great job leading, as always!


Brian