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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Owl's Head, NH
Trails
Trails: Lincoln Woods Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, bushwhack, Black Pond Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, August 1, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Arrived at LW parking the night before and maybe 24 cars. I camped in the car and left at 6am. Packed when I returned late afternoon.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The rains from the night before raised all water crossings slightly. All were hop able except for the Franconia Branch shortly after you turn onto Lincoln Brook Trail. I scanned up and down and no luck so I had to remove my socks and boots and wade barefoot across. Thus, my decision to go back on the Black Pond Bushwhack.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: I was very surprised that the trails leading up to the OH Path was for the most part cleared for such a remote trail. With that said, I did TONS of pruning on the Lincoln Brook Trail due to minor over growth, but lots on the OH Path on the ridgeline. Still could have pruned more, but was running behind schedule.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: None, thankfully 
Bugs
Bugs: Prerequisite mosquitoes, but only a couple bites as they don't like me that much.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: 38th peak. The two prior reports go into more detail about trail conditions. My adds... Despite what other reports on line say, I LOVED this hike. It followed almost exclusively, old railroad beds, so I imagined all day the guys coming in these places to lay the track, log, etc. Amazing what they did. Very peaceful, only saw three guys all day except when I returned to the freeway with droves heading up to Franconia Falls. OH slide has all sorts of written descriptions on how to navigate it, but I found the trail up through the slide easily navigable and obvious. Great views of Flume and Liberty. Coming down is different, I found myself on and off the trail a bit as you look for the best footholds. Lots of scree and it is loose, so take your time and be careful.

Lincoln Brook trail gets very muddy in places and it is standing water for sure, so be prepared to hike through mud even during the driest of times. It gets progressively worse as you get closer to OH path.

Decided to take the bushwhack back to avoid removing boots again. Got out the compass as I have read so many recent issues about how hard it was to find the trail. The trail leading from Lincoln Brook Trail is not marked, but on line research indicates where it is. I was amazed at how worn and obvious it was. I walked briskly through the woods and made it to the pond in about 30 minutes. It does peter out a bit towards the pond which seems bizarre after it is so well worn, but looking left and right, you can easily jump back on it. I do understand how it is a bit tough to track coming from the pond. I only checked my compass twice. Despite other claims, I believe it to be a significant savings vs. staying on the trail.

My estimated time was around 8:45, minus the pruning time. With the bushwhack, it was around 17 miles. I walked out on the LW trail much faster then I wanted to, but it was mainly due to the lack of solitude with all the day trippers, most who didn't know how to react when I said "hi" to them as I passed. :-) My longest hike in my life and not bad for a soon to be 58 year old.  
Name
Name: Kelly 
E-Mail
E-Mail: luvmaine@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-08-02 
Link
Link: https:// 
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