3,258 ft | Cherry-Dartmouth | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Owls Head (Carroll) are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 30°F at the summit (3,258 ft), feeling like 19°F, with WNW winds at 15 mph. See the hour-by-hour Owls Head (Carroll) weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Martha's Mile (0.7 mi) · Owl's Head Trail (2.2 mi)
Feels like 19°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.10" (24h) · 0.68" (48h)
Snow: 0.6" (24h) · 0.6" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, windy, overcast conditions with sub-freezing temperatures from trailhead to summit and a light dusting of fresh snow. Expect icy patches and slick rock on this fully below-treeline hike; wind chill near 2°F at the summit is the main cold-weather concern. Daylight is limited to about 11 hours, so an early start is recommended.
Freezing level spans roughly 1,150-3,250ft, so the whole hike is at or near freezing: about 27-39°F at the trailhead dropping to 21-33°F at the summit, with wind chill falling from about 13°F to 2°F. Layer up before the climb, carry an extra insulating layer for the windier upper sections, and expect icier footing as you gain elevation.
Best Hiking Window
Late morning through early afternoon Saturday, or Sunday midday when winds ease and highs reach around 40°F with 0% precip; start early either day to finish well before sunset
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: Cherry Mountain Trail, Martha's Mile
Conditions: Dry Trail
“This is a nice hike. It gives you a workout since it's a steep one, but the payoff is the great views from both peaks. Although it's steep, it's not a long hike so it's a great one to do in a half day. Trip planning for this and other list hikes helped by www.summitsmarts.com”
Trail: Owl's Head Trail, Martha's Mile
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Trail's in great condition and easy to follow. Nice and quiet fourth of July with a little wind at the viewpoints. Moose droppings near Martha summit. Saw no one until my return about a mile out from the trailhead.”
Trail: Owl's Head Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant
“Nice day for this peak and redline this trail. Last attempt on this trail was the winter of 2018. Clouds full of drama with light winds. Couldn't ask for a better day”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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22°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 22°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Located in the Cherry-Dartmouth range of the White Mountains, this remote peak sits near the headwaters of the Wild River and requires significant effort to reach. The approach involves a long bushwhack through dense boreal forest, as no maintained trail leads to the summit — a characteristic that earns its Difficult rating on the 52 With A View list. The wooded summit itself offers limited views, but the journey rewards hikers with true backcountry solitude and a sense of genuine wilderness navigation. Not to be confused with the more prominent Owl's Head in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, this Carroll County summit demands solid map and compass skills and comfort with off-trail travel. The surrounding terrain features typical northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest, with stream crossings and rugged footing that add to the challenge. Best suited for experienced hikers comfortable with route-finding.
Elevation
3,258 ft
Range
Cherry-Dartmouth
Difficulty
Difficult
Coordinates
44.3383, -71.4924
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.