4,025 ft | Franconia | 1 route
Feels like 63°F
~4.2°F drop per 1,000ft
Best Hiking Window
Friday is the clear choice — dry conditions, mild temperatures, and light winds make for a manageable outing. An early morning start on Friday is strongly recommended to allow ample time to complete the long approach before weather begins to deteriorate Friday night. Saturday and Sunday should be avoided due to incoming storms, heavy rain, and dangerous winds.
Trail: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, herd path
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant
“A wet day for Owl's Head, and we were grateful for the Black Pond herd path to avoid the worst of the water crossings, and the Brutus bushwhack to avoid descending the wet slide. Between the tough water crossings and several parts of the trail essentially being a muddy stream, my waterproof hiking boots had to admit defeat. Lincoln Woods trail closes June 15!”
Trail: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, herd path
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Started my hike at 5:45 AM. Lincoln Woods trail was in good shape (closing on June 1). Black Pond herd path was easy to find (muddy at south end). Lincoln Brook was easy, with some avoidable water/mud. Slide was tricky but not difficult. Brutus had some slippery spots (leaves). A group of three waited at the summit for me, and I kept pace with them on the way back until the beginning of the Black Pond herd path. 9 hours in total.”
Trail: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, herd path
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches
“Fast conditions. Bare boots the whole way. Little to no snow left up top (did see some flurries). Can't imagine much better conditions for May. Good time to get OH before they shut the Lincoln Woods Trail for construction (until November).”
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth, Mt. Washington Avalanche Center, USGS Stream Levels, OpenWeather Air Quality.
AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
Remote peak in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Known for long approach and slide climb. No official trail to summit.
Elevation
4,025 ft
Range
Franconia
Rank
#43 of 48
Difficulty
Very Difficult
Coordinates
44.1443, -71.6051
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2 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
19-year-old male from New Ipswich, NH
A solo 19-year-old male hiker departed Friday afternoon for a two-day hike to Owl's Head but became trapped between Franconia Brook and Lincoln Brook on Saturday after heavy rains and snowmelt caused water levels to rise dangerously. He sheltered in his tent and was spotted by a trail runner Sunday morning about 4.8 miles from Lincoln Woods. Pemi Valley SAR members located a safe ford, crossed to the hiker, and escorted him back to Lincoln Woods by 2:00 p.m. Sunday.
20-year-old male and 18-year-old female, brother and sister
Two hikers fell into Lincoln Brook twice on November 23, 2024, soaking all their clothing and developing early-stage hypothermia approximately 8.5 miles from the trailhead. They set up camp and used a Garmin InReach to notify Dartmouth Outdoor Programs staff, who relayed a rescue request to NHFG. Two conservation officers reached them at 2:30 a.m., provided dry clothing, and the hikers were able to walk out, arriving at the trailhead at 7:15 a.m.