Owl’s Head Mountain

It was just before 6am when the cool morning breeze and bright spring sun peeked through the bedroom window. In the distance the neighbor’s rooster crowed. My dog was still snoring away as I rolled over to check the weather. It was 47 degrees and sunny with a daytime high of 72. Perfect weather to get outside for a little adventure. “ Where should I go today”? I thought to myself. Thumbing through my All Trails app I wanted to find the perfect morning hike. Then it hit me, the trail that had eluded me this past winter. My destination was going to be Owl’s Head Mountain in Franklin County. I packed up the truck and headed east, I wasn’t going to miss another chance at this mountain.

As I passed the entrance to Titus Mountain I knew I wasn’t too far away, through Chasm Falls and Belmont, my truck kept climbing up the winding mountain road. Finally it was time to make the left hand turn on to the Station Road in Owl’s Head. As I approached the end of the road I could see the mountain off to my right. The rounded rock face and lush green top towered over me.

I came to a stop at “THE SIGN” - Private Property No Parking - it read.

I pulled out my phone to read the directions one more time. Go past the sign and take a right under the power-lines and the parking lot will be on the right.

After reading it several times I looked up and realized there was a car waiting patiently behind me. “Well I’m creating a traffic jam this must be the place” I thought to myself. I drove down the narrow dirt road between the large wooden power poles. Just a few hundred feet down the road was a small parking area. As I pulled in, so did the car behind me so I figured that it must be right. I quickly asked the young couple and their three dogs if I was in the right location, they confirmed I was as they quickly took off up the trail. I sprayed myself down with bug spray, threw my camera bag on my back and up the trail I went. The narrow hard packed dirt trail wound through the forest of pines. It was quite flat and easy walking. As I moved along taking in the trees and chipmunk chatter that surrounded me I noticed a bit of a clearing off to my right. I bushwhacked a few yards and stepped out onto a bog. The forest floor became a soft squishy base. It was like walking on a bed of pillows. From the bog I had a full view of Owl’s Head pond and the mountain.

The frogs chirped as the soft white clouds drifted by. Then it hit me, not a bug was flying around me. There was just enough of a breeze to keep them at bay. “This really is the perfect day for a hike” I said to myself. Heading back to the trail, the route slowly started to climb. Nothing too hard but just enough to feel it in my legs. Through the breeze I could hear the sound of trickling water. As I got closer I could see a small stream ahead. The clear mountain water meandered over rocks creating small waterfalls every few feet.

I stopped and took a few photos and continued on my way. As the elevation increased the trail became a bit more challenging. Over and under downed trees I maneuvered myself. Parts of the trail became quite rocky. Several sections looked like a free stone river bottom sprawling up the mountain.

Slowly I gained elevation as the sun's rays shined through the tree’s leaves creating dancing shadows on the forest floor. I checked my trail app to see how much farther I had and realized I was already ⅔ of the way to the top. I approached a large rock formation. The sound of water bouncing off of the large rocks got louder as I approached. Rounding the massive rock it looked like the trail was going right between them. As water was falling down all around me from the rock faces, I was faced with a cave carved out in the rocks.

I slowly walked closer to the 4’ opening in the rock. I could feel cold air coming from inside. I poked my head inside and could see no light, just the musty smell of decay that only the year round lack of sunlight could produce. I turned on my flashlight and slowly walked in. Once inside I realized that it was only about 10’ deep. “Well the trail doesn’t go through here” I thought to myself as I slowly inched in further. Two thoughts ran through my mind…….One, this is awesome, two, where the heck did the trail go? I backed my way out and followed the trail around the rocks. In the mud I noticed a few shoe tracks so I followed them up and around the rocks until I found a trail marker. A few hundred feet up the trail I passed the young couple from the parking lot as they were coming down. We had a quick chat and I worked my way up the trail. Not much farther up the trail I could tell that the trees were starting to thin out and there was abundant sunshine ahead. The trail opened up to a large open rock face and I could see for miles. I had done it, I made it to the top. The rolling mountains surrounded me as the bright blue sky filled my surroundings. Off in the distance I could make out Whiteface Mountain, along with several other high peaks of the Adirondacks.

I snapped some pictures and sat back and took in the view. I had the mountain all to myself. The birds chirped as the soft cotton ball clouds slowly drifted by. It was pure serenity.

Back at the truck I took a look at my watch and realized it wasn’t even noon yet. I was so impressed with the perfect weather and view that I never even looked at the time once while I was up there. As I drove away I had to giggle to myself thinking back to the first time I tried to get here and couldn’t. I made a promise to myself that I would definitely be coming back for a winter climb this year.

About this location:

Owl’s Head Mountain is located in Owl’s Head, New York in Franklin County. It sits about 12 miles southeast of Malone. Getting to Owl’s Head isn’t too challenging, however getting to the trail head is a bit confusing for the first time. Once you make it to Owl’s Head you need to turn on to the Station Rd. The Station Rd. comes to a dead end with a house at the end of the road. You will see a dirt road on your left that takes you under the power lines. Take this short road then turn right and follow the utility road between the power poles.

About 880’ down the power-lines you will see a small parking area on your right. The trailhead is located right at the parking area. There is no signage for the mountain but the trailhead is easy to see.

This is an out and back trail that is about three miles long round trip with about 690’ of elevation gain. Once on the trail there is no sign-in box and the blue DEC trail markers don’t start until you are a little ways up the trail, however the trail is very easy to see through the woods. Most of the trail is well marked and rather easy walking.

Currently there are several areas with downed trees across the trail but they are easy to maneuver around. You will encounter several small stream crossings and some muddy spots but there are plenty of rocks and logs to cross on.

There are a few stretches of the trail where there are a lot of softball and bowling ball sized rocks you need to navigate over. It isn’t hard but you will want to walk cautiously so you don’t twist an ankle. Approximately ⅔ of the way up you will find the cave. This was a pleasant surprise to me as I didn’t read anything about it before my trip. The cave is only about 10’ deep but it’s worth turning on your flashlight and taking a quick walk into. From the cave you are close to the peak. The viewing area on top is a rather flat rocky area. It looks to the south towards Lake Placid. It was very clean while I was there and with the zoom lens on my camera I could make out the observation tower on top of Whiteface Mountain.

In total I spent an hour and a half moving up and down the mountain and about a half hour on the top. I was moving quite slowly taking a lot of pictures so I know it could be done much faster than this. If you are in the North Country and looking for a family friendly adventure I highly recommend you give Owl’s Head Mountain a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Aaron Hardy

Northern NY Adventures