Also on this trip

Trails Used

Owl's Head Trail, Martha's Mile

Trail Conditions

Notes

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.

Parking

Enough for 4 or 5 cars

Water Crossings

Two or three uneventful stream crossings

Wildlife

Mosquitos were annoying in the first half mile, but chilled out toward the middle of the hike.

Trails Used

Cherry Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Only encountered a few friendly people on the nicest day of MDW so this hike is a hidden gem.

Water Crossings

Bone dry trail. Not even a hint of mud anywhere!

Wildlife

Brought a bug net and didn’t use it. Bug spray seemed to be enough but I swatted a few on the way down, way less buggy than I planned for.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Owls Head Trail, Martha's Mile

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great views from Owl's Head and there were some views at Martha's summit (someone had cut down some of the tree's blocking the presidential view) and the path that runs past the old fire tower base. Ran into 3 other hikers on the trail.

Parking

Plenty of parking at the Owl's Head trail head.

Water Crossings

The water crossings were fairly easy. Some were a bit muddy. Rock Hopping very carefully will help avoid the mud.

Wildlife

Black Flies were out. Not many in the AM due the last night's frost, towards afternoon they came out in force below 2500 feet.

Trails Used

Cherry Mt. Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trail dry all the way to Martha. All blow downs and branches were removed. Trail is clear.

Wildlife

None

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Mt. Martha Trail, Mt. Martha Spur, Martha’s Mile Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Dry trail to about 2,900’ when patchy snow begins. By the time one reaches the ridge, there are more consistent stretches of a little bit of snow. It’s not monorail—clearly this melted out and then picked up some snow last weekend—but it’s intermittent thin, slushy patches. The ledges going up Owl’s Head are mildly spicy as there’s some ice and packed snow on them. I bare booted the entire way and IMHO that’s the easiest thing to do, but I did see a couple of people wearing rock spikes over to Owl’s Head. Either option is definitely doable. Great hike and awesome views from both Mt. Martha and Owl’s Head. I’ve never done these before and definitely enjoyed them.

Wildlife

Still in hell

Trails Used

Cherry Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Trail in good shape. Minimal mud. Small ice patches above 3000’ then at saddle (3300’) ice and snow persevering on snowmobile trail that extends to the spur to Mount Martha. Turned around here. Area socked in with low cloud cover so no views and no spikes so turned around.

Water Crossings

Nbd

Trails Used

Cherry Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

It was great to get out! Be aware there is some very serious ice beneath the small amount of new snow. Especially noticeable the upper half of the trail up. The short section on the snowmobile trail is better. I switched from rock spikes to Hillsounds about halfway up, and I would not have liked having much less than that. The steepest sections of course have the worst ice. Also, it was socked in. But sunny when I got back to North Conway. Such is life in the Whites.

Parking

Parking lot is not plowed but only has a small amount of new snow. My AWD but low clearance car had no issues.

Water Crossings

One tiny one, easily stepped over

Wildlife

Nope