Cherry Mt. [Mt. Martha & Owl's Head]Hike

All members of the group were at the trailhead for 11AM! We geared up and immediately began a moderate ascent up to the T junction. It was pretty windy and cold there so we put on extra layers to make our way to the Mt. Martha overlook.

We were greeted with an expansive view of the snowcapped Presidential Range! A couple hikers meandered by and took a group shot…one of them was Mike’s boss. We then walked on the Martha’s Mile Trail making our way to Owl’s Head.

We decided to have lunch in a wind protected glade. We left our packs and 10 minutes later we were on the summit of Owl’s Head. We discovered the best views of the day where an open granite ledge offered a sweeping panorama!  In one extraordinary glance, you can scan a mountainous scene that extends from Mt. Madison all the way over to the Crawford Notch.

We retraced our steps back to Mt. Martha while the sun came out and illuminated the Presidentials with ribbon like clouds over the summits! Of course we had to take more pictures and revel in the view once more before we headed back to our cars which were an hour away.

All in all, Cherry Mountain trail is lightly travelled but offers all-encompassing views of the Presidential Range. Is highly recommended for a half-day hike. Put it on your to-do list. You will be very pleased that you checked out Cherry Mountain!

The open ledges of Owl's Head are home to perhaps the best view anywhere of the entire Presidential Range!

Cherry Mountain [3573'] and Owl's Head [3258'] are just 0.8 mile apart on a stand-alone ridge. From the summit of Cherry [also known as Mt. Martha], there is a good view of the Presidentials from one spot, and a superb panorama of the western White Mountains from another, with over two dozen 4,000-footers visible in one glance. 

We will go 1.9 miles up the Cherry Mtn. Trail to Mt. Martha and soak in the views. Then we will take Martha's Mile, which is really only 0.8 miles long, to the knobby peak of Owl's Head with great views of the Presidentials. We will return the way we came, going over Mt. Martha again.

Total distance: 5.4 miles
Book Hiking Time: 4 Hours
Vertical Rise: 2,469 ft.

Winter conditions will be in effect so be prepared! Winter travel offers unique challenges to any hiker. Please have the appropriate gear/clothing to travel in winter like conditions and the appropriate amount of layers to keep your core body warm. Dress in synthetic layers; NO COTTON. We recommend winter boots, microspikes, wind shell, wool hat, gloves [with handwarmers if you need them], neck gaiter/balaclava; along with wearing the appropriate amount of layers to keep your body warm. Be sure to have a daypack bigger than your usual summer daypack so you can place clothing in it as you heat up. Carry at least 2 liters of water, lunch and snacks.

After the Hike: We can gather together at our Waterville Valley house around the fireplace for food and drink. Bring a change of clothes and you can take a shower to clean-up. Bring your own beverages and if you like, snacks to share. If you would like to stay for one of Jon's dinner feasts, we ask you reimburse us $5 for our food costs. 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Saturday night at $20 per night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have limited space in the fridge to store your beverages/food so it's best to bring a small cooler. Space is limited so email me ASAP to reserve a bunk!