| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 22, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of space at Lincoln Woods. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
We used the Black Pond Bushwhack to avoid the major crossings - the one right where the bushwhack ends looked very sketchy. The remaining crossings were easily done while keeping the boots dry. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All of the usual duck-unders or step-overs are there - nothing new. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any dogs. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Didn't encounter any bugs. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing lost or found. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Hiked this one with Monica and the Random Group of Hikers. The original plan was Adams and Jefferson but the forecast of high winds forced us to find a below treeline hike. Owl's Head sounded like a good substitute.
Made our way to Black Pond and the bushwhack. About half way between the pond and Franconia Brook Trail we ended up a bit too high on the ridge and came out about 25 yards north of the regular exit point.
Barebooted all the way to the base of the slide where we put on our spikes. The slide was actually easier today than in the summer. The ball bearing like rocks that are a pain to deal with were all frozen in place. On the way up we passed several groups who were on their way back down.
The plan was to descend the slide (which I think I would have been easy to do) we decided to do the Brutus Bushwack to get back to Franconia Brook Trail. I have butchered that bushwhack on more than one occasion and since the other groups had done it we could develop some muscle memory and pick up some visual cues by following their footprints.
The sun came out at the very end of the day - started at a reasonable time and still finished without headlamps. Another wonderful day in the mountains with great people. |
|
 | Name: |
Michael & Monica |
|
 | E-Mail: |
michaelfblair@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2014-11-22 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/events/218826117 |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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