| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 15, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
lots of room in the Lincoln Woods parking lot this time of year |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Ice Axe, Skis |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
ice is forming on Licoln Brook and thick enough to cross carefully, a few thin sections cracked or gave way under weight. There is still running water under several ice/snow bridges.
|
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
winter ice bent trees and blow downs in a few spots, nothing extraordinary. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We skiied the Lincoln Woods trail to the Black Pond Trail and around to the north side of the Pond. The skiing was firm and fast on the Lincoln Woods trail, more challenging but softer on Black Pond. On the far side we switched to snow shoes. The bushwhack to Lincoln Brook was broken out and obvious from prior groups, though it meandered up the ridge until cutting due North toward Lincoln Brook. We decided following the track was better than breaking trail in softening snow.
Once on Lincoln Brook Trail the track was well established. A few brook crossing were still thin or muddy but not difficult. The water crossing on Liberty Brook and Lincoln Brook could be stepped over with caution. Ice bridges have formed, but are still a little thin.
The climb on the Owls Head slide was difficult. We all started in snowshoes. My MSR Lightning's had plenty of traction. My companions did not have enough grip with other brand snowshoes and switched to crampons. The snow was thigh deep in spots, thin and icy in others. At 400 feet up we all used ice axes for security on the steepest sections of the slide. A prior group had bushwhacked to the right of the slide about half way up. We followed this route, but I would not recommend it. This bushwhack was narrow and likely slower than staying on the slide itself. Once the trail reached the brook section the prior group broke trail to the left of the brook. The brook itself had more ice and an easier ascent for those in crampons or trail spikes. The top and ridge portion of Owls Head was well broken out and firm. On the descent the snow had soften so much that even in snow shoes I was making some deep holes. Extra caution should be paid until we have a storm that will fill in the trail between the slide and the ridge, there are some deep holes and unstable snow.
We all went back to snowshoes for the hike out Lincoln Brook back to Black Pond. The trail is very well tracked now. A few soft snow ledges gave way in the afternoon warmth, but only a handful. The Black Pond bushwack is also well tracked until the next storm.
Long day, an hour before sunrise to two hours past sunset, hence the long post. Walk in peace |
|
 | Name: |
Pappa Carl |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ringcycles@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-16 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
