Summit: Owl's Head (4,025')
Trail route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack, Owl's Head Trail
Trail conditions: Variety of dry, wet, muddy at lower elevations then some ice, monorail and snow along the ridge
Weather: Cool start then warm with sunshine
Total miles: 16
Total time: 9:12
The weather was looking good for the long hike to Owl's Head with maybe an afternoon shower. I would be joining Amy, Jim, Guy, Robin and Anthony for the hike to this remote summit in the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
It was a cool start but warmed up quickly as the sun got higher. We took the Black Pond bushwhack. For anyone planning on this hike take note, immediately past Black Pond the bushwhack takes a sharp right by a large tree that all of us missed on the way in because there is a heavy path that keeps going straight. By going straight the trail starts branching off in different directions. Taking the right stays on a well beaten path all the way to Lincoln Brook Trail.
As we made our way up the Lincoln Brook Trail there were a couple of water crossings that were a little tricky. We all made it through them without a mishap. A decision we made while we were hiking as to what route to use going up to the summit and back down. We decided to go up the Brutus bushwhack and not the slide today.
It was the usual steep climb up the bushwhack. I had never done this without snow as this is the usual winter route. I actually preferred this route and it was fairly easy to follow. The steepness cannot be overstated but at least the trail is not moving under your feet with each step like the slide.
Shortly after converging with the trail coming up from the slide the first patches of ice appeared. There were sections of monorail and then more snow up on the ridge. It was all fairly easy to bare boot. There were several hikers up on the summit. We all took a short break before starting our descent.
Just before leaving the summit we decided to put on microspikes for the short section of trail with snow and ice. This proved to be a good idea since we didn't have to worry as much about foot placement and made the trip a little safer and faster. The traction came off before we reached the turnoff to the bushwhack. We decided to also take the bushwhack down.
It was a steep drop down and a little quicker than coming up but still required careful footing. We got back down the Brutus bushwhack, made it through the water crossings and across the Black Pond bushwhack without any problems. We were then faced with the long boring Lincoln Woods walk out to complete the hike. It's always great to see the suspension bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River which means the parking lot is on the other side and the end of the hike is near.
It was a day of milestones for some of us. Jim completed Round 3 of the 48 4,000 footers, Guy gridded out Owl's Head (that has to be nice), and I completed Round 7 of the 48 4,000 footers.
The showers never materialized and it was an awesome day for hiking to Owl's Head!
Enjoy the photos and video!
Sunrise on the drive to the trailhead
The hike starts here
East Branch of the Pemigewasset River
Hobblebush
Wild violets
Painted trillium
Approaching Black Pond
The Taped Knee Trio
Black Pond
Large muddy area on the bushwhack
We avoided this water crossing by taking the Black Pond bushwhack
Lincoln Brook
Red trillium
Several water crossings on this hike
Small waterfall
Contemplating the route across this water crossing
Robin using Jim's water shoes to wade through this crossing
Entrance to the Brutus bushwhack
A glimpse of the Franconia Ridge
Found the summit stick
The Whoo tree on the summit
Snow on the summit ridge
Descending the steep Brutus bushwhack
Jim makes it look easy
Robin wades and Amy does the rock hop
Jim still making it look easy
Back on the Black Pond bushwhack
Lincoln Woods Trail appears to go all the way to the horizon
Always nice to see this bridge at the end of a long hike
Evening sky on the drive home
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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