This cache is not for anyone who isn’t a very experienced hiker with proper equipment. The reason for the 5/5 difficulty and terrain rating for this cache is that is as high as the rating goes. The hike to the cache will be a very long day as a minimum and possibly an overnight. There are several streams to ford, a 0.4 mile long very steep unstable rock slide to climb, possible long bushwhack, 2 miles of the most extreme unmaintained trail you will find, and other difficulties associated with this trip. Note that the stream crossings can be unfordable after heavy rain. There are no views or cell phone coverage in this area. Do not underestimate the difficulty of getting to this cache. Do not try this if you don’t have map and compass or you do not fully understand the route. Do not try this if it is wet. Do not try this alone.
Having posted the above disclaimer, I will mention that thousands of experienced well prepared hikers have been going to Owl’s Head for over 40 years with no real problems. However, the operative word is experienced. Most of the hikers you see near Owl’s Head are trying to climb all the four dozen peaks on the list of NH peaks over 4000 feet and Owl’s Head is generally one of their last.
The Distance is about 18 miles round trip. I will not describe the route but any hiker can check the AMC guidebook
(click here) to see the trails to use and possible alternative routes. Check your local library for a current copy. Although you will be following and crossing several streams, do not drink the water you find along the way unless you chemically treat or filter it with an approved filter. The cache is an ammo box hidden about 25 feet north of the summit cairn (N44 08.502, W071 36.354) behind a large rock with trees growing on or around it and should be easy to find. Please rehide it as you found it.
Before you say this is too difficult for Older cachers, my brother and I just did this as a day hike and we’re both over 60 years old. I have done this as a winter day trip of over 14 hours but I do not recommend this except as a summer trip. Good luck!