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The unnamed path which this page calls the Owls Head Slide trail leads from the Lincoln Brook Trail to the summit commonly known as Owls Head. The first part of the trail climbs steeply up an old landslide, then the trail climbs steeply in woods before a flatter section to the traditional summit.
In 2004 some hikers found that this point is not the 4025-foot point shown on the USGS map but rather a lower bump to the S. For now the AMC 4000 Footer Club will accept the traditional point for a completion, but experienced bushwhackers may wish to continue the .2 miles N to the true summit. See the Forum for more information. Also see Miriam Underhill's description of a similar thing happening to her.
Although this trail does receive some maintenance from interested hikers, it is really more of a herd path and is rough and overgrown. Traditionally the homemade signs at the bottom and the summit were often taken as curios, and cairns built by hikers were removed by others who wanted the area to appear more wild. However in 2005 U.S. Forest Service personnel decided this trail was unofficial and should not be marked, so paid rangers began removing the signs and cairns, scraped off blazes, and apparently even sawed down blazed trees. Hikers should watch carefully for the turnoff (approximate coordinates 44.138°N, 71.616°W WGS84), and look for nail holes to the R of the path at the traditional summit where the sign was removed.
See Owls Head routes for a longer description of this mountain and how to climb it.
Distance: Lincoln Brook Trail to summit, about 1.0 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 1500 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS South Twin Mtn
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-6
DeLorme NHA&G 43-F13 - Franconia
This trail is located in the Pemigewasset Wilderness and is often approached (driving) from I-93 exit 32 in Lincoln then (hiking) up the Lincoln Woods Trail
Lower End: Lincoln Brook Trail about 8.0 miles from Lincoln Woods parking lot, elevation about 2560 feet
Upper End: Summit of Owls Head, elevation about 4025 feet
Owner: White Mountain NF
Maintainer: NA
Special regulations: Pemigewasset Wilderness
The Owls Head Slide trail leaves the Lincoln Brook Trail about .4 miles N of a Lincoln Brook crossing (turn may be marked by a heap of rocks) and follows what looks like a small brook bed uphill through the woods to the foot of the slide. The slide is mostly loose rock and gravel although there are some ledge outcrops, and there are several different routes up it marked with cairns. After climbing about 700 feet in about .3 miles, to about level with a knoll on the ridge opposite, the trail enters the woods at the top of the slide and continues to climb steeply. Large trees that fall across the trail are often left; chain saws are banned in Wilderness even if somebody wanted to carry one this far! After reaching the main ridge, the trail flattens out before passing over a knoll and reaching the official summit. The Bonds are visible between trees to the E, and the very top of Mount Washington can be seen through a col to the NE if it isn't too hazy. Take a reading on your GPS if you have one and post it in the Forum, and if you have energy left you can bushwhack N and look for a higher point.
Some winter hikers prefer to bushwhack parallel to the slide, particularly in the downhill direction.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show this trail, but the white area of the slide can be found on the SW flank of the mountain.
Boulders on Owls Head slide
Looking up Owls Head slide
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