| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Flume, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Osseo Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 14, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
When I arrived at 8:35, Lincoln Woods was more than half full, but still had plenty of spaces to park. When I got back at 3:25, the parking lot was probably about 3/4 full, but still some open spots. The normal restrooms are closed, but there are six porta-potties that are open. The iron ranger seemed to indicate that you now have to pay the fee again, which is very unfortunate since the visitor's center in Lincoln is still closed so I can't get a new pass. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Pretty much nothing on this route, just a couple of tiny brooks on the lower half of Osseo that could be crossed in one step. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdowns on Osseo Trail - none are a serious impediment to travel. The middle portion of Osseo Trail, between the first switchback and the start of the ladders, has some very eroded sections. Just above the top of the ladders, there are some large mudpits. All signs were present and correct. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
They should be agile and know how to climb ladders. Besides that, they should be fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
Due to the cooler weather, practically none on the way up or at the summit. Even on the way down, they would get only somewhat annoying when I stopped (such as at the Downlook). While I was moving, they were not bothersome at all. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was a fun hike! Lincoln Woods is what it is - straight, flat, smooth, and dry. Osseo was a gentle, pretty straight ascent for about the first 2 miles, when the switchbacks began. The initial switchbacks weren't too bad, but then there's a section that's quite eroded, climbs at fairly moderate grades, and seems to take forever - this part is rather monotonous. Then come more switchbacks, alternating between different sides of the ridge, and then when the ridge steepens, the ladders show up. They were dry, tame, and easy. The Downlook viewpoint was excellent - I could see the entire western Pemi lobe, from Garfield to the Bonds, with Owl's Head in front of them. The rest of the ladders were straightforward, and then the trail comes to a flatter section with several large mudpits that are not easy to avoid. Grades are easy until the final ascent, when they become moderate again.
The views from the summit of Flume were phenomenal, and the lack of any serious wind allowed me to have lunch at the summit without getting cold. It was nice to talk with a couple of other groups at the summit. Some came up Flume Slide Trail - I recommended to anyone who asked that they should not descend Flume Slide. I certainly wouldn't under any conditions.
The descent on Osseo was also straightforward. I do appreciate how Osseo doesn't really have any big rock slabs, just smaller rocks and rock steps in places. Of the people I saw on Osseo, about half were just climbing Flume while the other half were doing Pemi Traverses. Unsurprisingly, I passed a lot of people on the walk out on Lincoln Woods. It was pretty clear who were the hikers and who were the tourists.
The weather was perfect - 50s and low 60s all day, so I never felt hot. No snow or ice anywhere on Mt. Flume - the only snow I saw was a small drift on Mt. Lafayette (it is visible from the summit of Flume). |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-06-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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