| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, herd paths, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 8, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There were signs saying Lincoln Woods lot was full at 10 AM, but we found a dozen or so empty spaces. Cars lining the road though. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rising a bit during the day, but hoppable on wet rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Two blowdowns on Lincoln Woods, and a whole bunch elsewhere. The condition of these trails, especially the Owl's Head Path, is atrocious (not a commentary on the volunteer adopters, but rather the wilderness standards and the state to which the trails have been allowed to erode. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Minimal. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Started the most dreaded 4K hike a little after 10 AM to avoid the morning downpours. We got caught in a few showers, but never needed rainjackets. By the second half of the afternoon, the sun had broken through.
Lincoln Woods Trail had lots of puddles and plenty of minor mud. Franconia Brook Trail was also a festival of puddles. Plenty of mud on the Lincoln Brook Trail. Owl's Head Path is absolutely terrible with the advanced erosion and clutter of blowdowns and herd paths.
For the descent, we took the Brutus, which is a fairly well defined herd path at this point. Fantastic golden birch leaves. Some slippery leaves on the footbed.
We also took the herd path to Black Pond on the way back, which is often well defined, but has places paths converge/split. Leaves are now covering the footbed.
Black Pond Trail was also muddy in places.
Absolutely fantastic foliage throughout. Love the foliage at peak, but gosh do I hate this peak. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-10-08 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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