Today our plan was to head out to the middle of the Pemi with friends and re-visit one of our favorite peaks - Owls Head. We met Mark at the campground, and headed down to Lincoln Woods to meet Chris and Chris, today known as BugBite and TinkerBell. Shortly after leaving the campground we were treated to a moose enjoying it's breakfast along Route 3. A short stop to take some photos (with cell phone that we posted on Facebook) and we arrived just before 7:30. Chris and Chris arrived a few minutes later. After some discussion on how Bob and BugBite had ended up wearing the same outfit down to the same nike cap, gearing up we headed out at 7:45.
We crossed the bridge and set off at a quick pace on the Wilderness Trail headed for the Black Pond trail. 45 minutes later we veered onto it and made our way around the pond to where we found the begining of a herd path. The area around the pond was wet with deep mud. Geri took a compass from TinkerBell and we headed off at a heading of 355 degrees towards the Lincoln Brook trail. At first we could follow the faint signs of a herd path, but in 10 minutes it had disappeared. Tinkerbell took over the lead and lead us over the path of least resistance in the general heading we wanted. An hour or so later, we popped out onto the trail.
After a quick break for a snack we headed off on the gentle grade of the Lincoln Brook trail. As we got closer to the first of three stream crossing the trail became wetter, slippery, and muddy. The first crossing was quite easy with no need for poles, but the 2nd and 3rd were wider and deeper where they were needed.
About ten minutes after teh 3rd crossing we saw the first of 13 other hikers that we would see today. He was headed towards us, and when asked where he was headed, he replied OWls Head. Hmmm - that's where we are headed. What trail are you taking up? The slide trail. Hmmm - that's where we are going as well :>
We were a little suprise to arrive at the trail to find not only a large carin marking the start, but also two large arrows carved into trees. That is not kewl! At this point TinkerBell decided to head north and approach the summit via a bushwhack he had done previously where he lost a sentimental sleeping pad - he would meet us on the summit, sans pad, so he will be going back again! Heading up the trail we found that carins were now marking the trail along the way, although these are really not needed as it is easy to follow. The slide has very loose rocks making it difficult to not dislodge a few as you make your way up the trail. At the top of the slide the trail becomes tight and is becoming overgrown, but is so well worn it is and will be very easy to follow.
Once you reach the top of the slide you expect that the trail will level out, but it does not for soem distance. In the warm humid air we stopped frequently to catch our breath and look behind us where there are spectacular views of Franconia Ridge from North Lafayette to Mt Flume, with a great view of the Lincoln Slide. Approaching the top of the ridge, the trail levels out and climbs over what you may think is the summit, but continue following the trail.
10 minutes after the trail levels out you come to what was the official summit. Depending on the Ranger activity (man made objects are forbidden in the Pemi Wilderness) there may or may not be a small carin and sign.But on a tree to your right, about 8 feet off the ground you will see two nails with the remnants of a blue sign that had marked the summit at one point.
Time to start our return as we had plans for a cookout with Marks family back at the campground and we had vissions of a cold beer and steak tips dancing in our heads. We saw a few others making there way to the summit as we decended via the slide, sending more large rocks down ahead of us. Descending took almost as much time as the ascent did, but eventually were were on the Lincoln Brook trail setting a quick pace home.
We decided that we would follow the Lincoln Brook Trail back to the Franconia Brook trail and check out the 2 wide river crossings. At the 1st we came too we all managed to rock hop across, some with poles, some not, but we did manage to stay dry. A few minutes later we reach the second wider crossing. We quickly realized we would be wading across this one. The water was moving very quickly, almost to the point of raging. It made seeing the bottom of the river impossible to see, so we needed to move slowly feeling for our next step. The water was high up on our thighs in spots, and rather chilly, numbing for some of us. At this crossing we assisted each other as we made our way across and up the bank.
Making both crossings more difficult were the numerous black flies that one finds near moving water. But after drying our feet and putting our boots back on, we were on our way. Twenty minutes later we stepped onto the Franconia Brook trail and made our way to the bridge crossing the East Brach of the Pemigewasset and the Wilderness Trail. With 3 miles to go between us and the parking lot we broke into a pattern of a jog, fast walk, jog until we reached our cars.
Arriving at our cars we were very pleasantly suprised to see Mats Roing who was gearing up to attempt a double Pemi loop (@ 64 miles!). He had to work, so wasn't able to start his hike until 5:30 PM. We would later learn that Mats had a wonderful experience on the first loop, but was fighting to stay awake and decided that the double loop would wait for another day. How many of us would even think of a 32 mile hike after a long day at work!
What a nice hike. The forecast had called for showers and thunderstorms, but we were rewarded with a nice day, partly cloudy, some sunshine, and wonderful views.
Length of Hike: 9:30 hours
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