[Mewalkinwoods]

I have been looking at Owl Head as my next attempt of my 4000ft list.

What time of year is the best time?
I would think that Spring would be the worst time.

Is the book time right?
Nine miles of flat walking in 5.5 hours sound right to me, but all of the river crossing concern me.

[mike48]

I have made the trip twice, once to about 1/4 from the base of the slide, and once to the summit. Both trips were made in the fall and the crossings were not a major problem. I understand that spring time can be very difficult, and many folks trying the hike to Owls head at that time of year will do a bushwhack from Black Pond allowing them to bypass most of the water crossings.

[Mewalkinwoods]

mike48, on 13 Jan 2010 - 09:10 PM, said:

I have made the trip twice, once to about 1/4 from the base of the slide, and once to the summit. Both trips were made in the fall and the crossings were not a major problem. I understand that spring time can be very difficult, and many folks trying the hike to Owls head at that time of year will do a bushwhack from Black Pond allowing them to bypass most of the water crossings.

Hey Mike48,

Thanks for the info.

Was the book time pretty close?

Was the slide up Owl Head hard to find?

[mike48]

I really can’t comment on the book time. I seem to average about 2 MPH when hiking alone and with determination. However the two Owl Head trips did not fall into that category. Both attempts were done as backpack trips, so I was in no rush to get done. The first trip was made with my son, and we spent the night camping along Lincoln Brook Trail. When we got up the second morning he did not feel like completing the trip to the summit, so we just headed back out.

The second trip was a real slow go. I spent two nights at Franconia Brook tent site. I started late on a Friday afternoon, spending Friday night at the camp. Saturday I made it to the summit of OH, returning to Franconia Brook for a second night. On Sunday I headed back out.

What I can tell you is that the trail from Lincoln Woods Visitor Center to the base of the slid is fairly flat, allowing for a quick pace if desired. Although not an official trail, the access to the slide was very easily located from the Lincoln Brook trail. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding it.

[Mewalkinwoods]

Sometimes just reading isn't enough.

Thanks for the info.

[Stickball13]

Nice hike with very nice view from the slide. Once above the slide you are back into the woods which is an unmaintained trail to the summit. When I did this hike a few years ago there were many down trees across this part of the trail. Book time from Lincoln visitors center is about right. My wife and I hiked Owl's Head in late August without any trouble.

[Mewalkinwoods]

Hey Stickball,

Thanks for the info.

Has anyone done this in May or June?

[Mewalkinwoods]

I understand that this is a old topic, but I have the time in early September to do this.

Could a good hiking dog make this trip?

It's either OwlHead or The South Tatonic trail and the first section of the AT in MA (Horseshoe).

Any dog lovers out there?

[Stickball13]

The slide is pretty steep. It might be tough for a dog.
al

[Mewalkinwoods]

Stickball13, on 01 Aug 2010 - 07:28 PM, said:

The slide is pretty steep. It might be tough for a dog.
al

Thanks for your input. I need my partner, but it will limit some hikes.

Happy Trails

[Soulfrk]

Mewalkinwoods, on 13 Jan 2010 - 07:42 AM, said:

I have been looking at Owl Head as my next attempt of my 4000ft list.

What time of year is the best time?
I would think that Spring would be the worst time.

Is the book time right?
Nine miles of flat walking in 5.5 hours sound right to me, but all of the river crossing concern me.

I know a lot of people do this as a day hike. It's a very long (8ish mile) walk out to the base of the slide. then you have to climb the slide which is an unmaintained path that is full of down trees and loose rocks, once you get to the top of the slide it's another quarter mile or so (still unmaintained) to the actual summit. 18 miles over that kind of terrain is exhausting.

My recommendation is to overnight it. We did it in July and the weather was pretty decent.

As for the river crossings, with the lack of rain we've had this year I imagine the water is pretty low. We had a little trouble with one or two of the crossings, but only because we didn't want to take off our boots and wade through.

[bubbalou]

August is good. Black Pond bushwhack takes off a couple miles. Don't go to far around the pond. I thought Owl's Head was a great walk. Slide is steep and took a while to climb, down is just as hard. Long hike