This is a pretty good hike that is not too easy and not too hard as well. I could see beginners doing this but when I did it, it was somewhat raining. The trail going up was very slippery. There is a fire tower at the top and there’s a view also. The area around the fire tower is pretty big but the viewpoint is rather small. This is somewhat of a popular hike also so expect to see lots of people during the weekends.
Owl’s Head Fire Tower Important Information
Trail Map: Trail Map 1
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 Miles
Elevation Gained: 1,500 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: None
Trail Breakdown
3.3 Miles Red Trail Going Up
3.3 Miles Red Trail Going Down
Note: The information is just an approximation.
Parking
There’s also a hike with the same name that has a parking lot at.
Don’t confuse the two. 44.247618, -73.830605
Start Of The Hike
My surroundings change fast. It changes in an instant. One day, it was sunny with the leaves in full color due to the Fall Foliage season and in the next, it was wet, damp, and rainy with lots of leaves already had fallen on the ground. Such was the life of a hiker bent on hiking multiple days in a row.
Fall Foliage
Planks On The Red Trail
Flat Trail
There were a few gentle slopes going up here and there, nothing too steep nor serious. Although I was hiking rather slower than usual as I knew that this will be the only hike that I will be doing due to the stormy weather. As I slowed my pace, I realized that a slope would have no impact on my energy consumption at all.
Intersection
Intersection
Red Trail
Thousands upon thousands of dead leaves were scattered on the floor as I hiked upwards to the top of the mountain. With each step, my boots sank a little due to the thick and layered leaves that carpeted the ground. The trail was somewhat slippery as well due to the water that fell from the sky but I kept going, trying my best to reach the viewpoint safe and sound.
Red Trail
The footpath became steeper as I gained more and more elevation as time passed by. Everywhere I looked as far as my eyes could see were dead leaves of different colors that blanketed the ground. I feared that peak foliage may have come and gone. I maybe too late as there were already too many leaves that fell from the ground.
Red Trail
My breathing became heavier and heavier as time passed by. There were moments when I thought I should take a rest but the ground and all the rocks were wet that I just kept moving. Fatigue was accumulating all over my body as I felt my shoulders getting stiffer with my legs wanting to fall asleep. As I looked at the GPS, it said that I was close to the fire tower so I just kept moving.
Ruins
Ruins of a house or cabin or some sort.
Red Trail
Red Trail Near The Top
Red Trail
Red Trail Ascending
The last ascent of the trail was a slippery one as I got to the top and almost fell back down to the bottom. I should never underestimate these trails even if my boots had a lot of traction in them. One false move and I could seriously hurt myself or worst, a permanent injury may occur.
Owl’s Head Fire Tower
Owl’s Head Lookout
Owl’s Head Vista
Owl’s Head Views
Owl’s Head Fire Tower Views
Owl’s Head Fire Tower Lookout
Fire Tower Views
Descent
Going Back
Going Back
Going Back
End Of The Hike
