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4,025 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Owl's Head

Owl's Head is a 4,025 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Via Lincoln Brook Trail: 17 mi, 3,018 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Owl's Head in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Owl's Head at a glance

  • Elevation4,025 ft1,226 m
  • RouteVia Lincoln Brook TrailClass 2
  • Distance17 mi3,018 ft gain
  • Time10 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Via Lincoln Brook Trail

From Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway, the Lincoln Woods, Franconia Brook, and Lincoln Brook trails run many miles to the base of the Owl's Head Slide. The rough, loose slide is a steep Class 2 scramble to the wooded, viewless summit deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Multiple river crossings can be dangerous in high water, so avoid the hike after heavy rain. This is one of the longest, most remote day hikes in the Whites. Start very early or backpack, and carry plenty of water.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • GPS Device
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Stream crossing
  • Low visibility
  • Remote location
  • Boggy terrain
  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with Owl's Head

Peaks near Owl's Head

  1. Mount Lincoln

    Mount Lincoln

    5,089 ft · 2.0 mi away

  2. Mount Lafayette

    Mount Lafayette

    5,260 ft · 2.3 mi away

  3. Mount Liberty

    Mount Liberty

    4,459 ft · 2.7 mi away

  4. Mount Flume

    Mount Flume

    4,328 ft · 2.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Owl's Head?

Owl's Head is 4,025 feet (1,226 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does Owl's Head rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 4,025 feet, Owl's Head is the 59th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Owl's Head?

The Via Lincoln Brook Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 17 miles with 3,018 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Owl's Head?

Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the Via Lincoln Brook Trail, covering 17 miles with 3,018 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Owl's Head?

The Via Lincoln Brook Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 17 miles with 3,018 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Owl's Head?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Owl's Head?

The Via Lincoln Brook Trail starts at about 1,160 feet, roughly 2,865 feet below the summit.

Climb Owl's Head with Yak

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