New Hampshire 4,000-Footer Planning Guide – Owl's Head Mountain

Note: For complete trail descriptions, times, elevation, trailhead directions, and major features, see the AMC White Mountain Guide.

Profile
Owl’s Head Mountain (4,025 feet), occupies a narrow valley created by Pemigewasset Range to the east and the Franconia Range to the west. More than ten 4,000s surround Owl’s Head. Needless to say, it is one of the more remote major summits in the White Mountains.

Suggested Routes
Strenuous: No matter how you approach Owl’s Head, you are in for a long day trip, or maybe more suitably, an overnight trip. The 9-mile trek from trailhead to summit follows Wilderness Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, and Owl’s Head slide path in that order. Except for the Owl’s Head slide path, which is wooded, very steep, and not maintained regularly, this route is flat to moderately steep. Consult the AMC White Mountain Guide for the tent sites along this route.

Trip Planning
The AMC’s Thirteen Falls Tentsite is located at the junction of the Franconia Brook & Lincoln Brook Trails.

Safety
The AMC recommends all hikers check weather conditions in advance, carry a current map and guidebook, along with a compass and knowledge of how to use it. For recommendations on how to plan a safe hike in the White Mountains, see: The 10 essentials for a safe and pleasant hike.

Trip Planning
Owl’s Head is named for the shape of its south end.