Owl’s Head – An Adirondacks Gem – November 4, 2010

[Jim Kennard]

This little peak is a real gem of a mountain. It does not come close in elevation to the 46’s but it offers a number of great views in almost every direction.

It was Thursday morning and overcast with a 100% prediction of rain for the next two days. We decided on a short hike up to Owl’s Head before the rain showers. I was accompanied by friends Carol & Dave White who are Adirondack & Catskill book authors and experienced mountain explorers.

The trailhead is located just off Rt 73 about 3 ½ miles NE from the Cascade / Porter parking area. There is a small parking area next to Owl’s Head Road. The hike to the summit of Owl’s Head is only about 0.6 mile. It is ideal for anyone that would like to go on a short and not very strenuous hike and be rewarded with some wonderful views of the Adirondacks. This is a great place to just hang out for awhile and enjoy the moment.

The trail initially leads though the woods. There are a few small ledges to ascend but nothing very difficult. The summit area is somewhat open and fairly flat so that one can walk around to various vantage points and capture images of the near by mountains. We spent sometime looking around and I took some pics of the surrounding area. I was pleased that the clouds lifted just enough for me to capture a pic of Cascade, Porter and Pitchoff Mountains. In the distance we could see the curtain of rain or snow showers heading our way. Our time on the summit now ending we headed back to the trailhead. As I drove back to Lake Placid the showers had just begun and continued into Friday. Carol & Dave headed back home. I headed for the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery for a great cheeseburger and a good sampling of their Ubu beer. It rained all afternoon so I settled down in the lodge next to the fire and finished up reading Adirondack Peak Experiences.

Owl’s Head Hike pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/kennardjim/OwlSHead

[TFR]

Congrats on starting your Owl's head list! There are several, just in NY, and more in other states. Keep us apprised of your progress!

[Heavypack]

My son was 5 when we took him up Owl's Head. What a great hike. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get younger childern on an appropirate ADK climb. He is now 11 (5/46 in Peakbagger terms) and every trip on Rt 73 he will note "There is Owls Head"!

Nice pre-rain TR!

Matthew

[JoeCedar]

Originally Posted by TFR

Congrats on starting your Owl's head list! There are several, just in NY, and more in other states. Keep us apprised of your progress!

There ought to be a patch for that!!! Has anyone made up a list?

Maybe a patch for Owl's Heads with one peak as well as a patch for two peak Owl's Heads (more rare species)?

Maybe a winter patch in the image of a Snowy White Owl?

But there is only one pair of Crows (which were probably ravens, but misidentified ).

[DSettahr]

I went Rock Climbing on the summit of Owl's Head for a class at Paul Smith's College once. Being able to climb with the view behind us was quite neat.

Originally Posted by TFR

Congrats on starting your Owl's head list! There are several, just in NY, and more in other states. Keep us apprised of your progress!

My favorite is the one along the little used northern approach to Giant Mountain.

[tcd]

Those are both neat little spots. Both offer an opportunity to teach kids about cliff safety. Be careful with your dogs, etc., up there; it's quite a drop!

[Edelpeddle]

I love Owl's Head, I've probably hiked it half a dozen times. It has great views and great rock climbing at the top. I once bet a fellow counselor that I could climb the rock face at the top faster than them. I lost and I had to carry all of our climbing equipment back down. I looked like the Michelin Man.

[Deadeye]

The Owl's head E of Giant is another beauty.