Hiking all of NH’s 48 4000-footers is a very common pursuit and it stands to reason why. After all, it’s fun and offers many rewards: It’s good exercise for mind and body, plus it offers structure and direction versus mindlessly hiking the same trails over and over again. Hikers that take on this challenge generally start with some easier mountains on the list and work their way up to some of the more far-flung or difficult ones. And at some point they start seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. This is when most folks start thinking about their final few and generally pick a finisher. Sometimes this final mountain is one that offers alternate access so you can invite the non-hiking friends and family that might have questioned your sanity at some point. These mountains would include Wildcat D, Mt Washington, and Cannon.
Other folks opt to hike something incredible like the Bonds or any of the Presidentials. Carrigain, Isolation, South Twin, Moosilauke, and subjectively, others, also qualify. And some don’t plan at all and up finishing on a mountain that they put off, a mountain many may consider less desirable. That can include Owls Head as one strong contender, and this often the by-product of not planning. To the planners this is an avoidable conundrum. Case in point: Today’s guest, out there hiking with Redline Guide Chase Hall, chose to grab Owls Head before it ended up as her last peak. For her, this was peak number 37. Chase’s general summary and some photos follow..
Today’s guest claimed her 37th summit in her journey to tag all of the 48 four-thousand-footers in the White Mountains. The water crossings were very manageable for early fall which made for safe crossings. Owls Head showed off some serious foliage up the slide. Views were excellent and the trail was in excellent condition for the return trip. —Chase
