Come join us to hike Owl’s Head, one of the most remote NH-4000 footers. If you enjoy long walks in the woods practicing your owl impressions, “interesting” stream crossings, and challenging scrambles up steep slides with loose rocks, then this hike is for you!

Route: ~17.5 miles, 3100’ gain, out-and-back. The route is fairly flat and in the woods for the first ~8 miles (we’ll be hiking along the Pemigawaset River, Franconia Brook, and then Lincoln Brook), and then very steep on a rocky slide for the last push to the summit (~1500’ in 0.8 miles).

Prerequisites: This is not a beginner’s hike! It is best suited for experienced hikers who enjoy a bit of Type 2 fun. We don't have strict/inflexible prerequisites, but as a guideline, you should:

• Have the physical fitness and mental willpower to hike 18 miles, 3100’ gain in a single day.
• Have comfortably done a ~11+ mile hike with >= 3500’ gain in a single day in the last six months.
• Be comfortable hiking at a moderately fast pace all day with minimal breaks: we are planning to move quickly through the woods and at a comfortable pace on the slide (aiming for an overall 2mph elapsed pace).
• Be comfortable scrambling up and down a steep slide: the last mile to the summit involves a steep climb up a slide with loose scree.

Please reach out to us if you are not sure.

Logistics: We are monitoring the forecast for potential rain, with Sunday/Monday as rain dates. We will be leaving Cambridge early in the morning (~5:45am).

Pre-trip meeting: We will have a brief pre-trip meeting over Zoom on Thursday, August 28 at 6:30pm to discuss the route, gear, and logistics.