| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
LW lot was about half full at noon on a weekday |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy, as far as we went. I went 2/3 across the Lincoln Brook crossing at the end of the BP 'whack and saw it was easily rock hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lincoln Woods and Black Pond Trail are well maintained. The 'whack is almost as well maintained as less used trails such as Kilkenny Ridge Tr. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The ones we saw were very happy. Ample water available |
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 | Bugs: |
Very few. I did panic and apply some repellent near the end, but could've skipped it |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Swimwear on the rocks at Franconia Falls (a side trip that I'm not otherwise reporting on) |
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 | Comments: |
A great day on the trails. Some peaks were in and out of shadow.
This was not a serious attempt to summit Owl's Head, but a reconnoitering of the bushwhack for future use. It is a well established herd path, with some caveats. Most importantly, you shouldn't be on this trail unless you are prepared to bushwhack if you lose it. The major issue is braiding, and, less of a problem, finding the beginning. The beginning is after a swampy area with numerous fallen logs. Don't go uphill until you've passed thru this area. Then, don't take a path straight ahead that, today, was blocked w 3 birch logs. Instead, continue closer to the pond, and stay level. You start very slightly uphill, and come to a non-obvious fork. Turn left (we went straight ascending and rejoined the main path soon. We realized our mistake on the return.) An earlier report mentioned someone losing the whack and joining Lincoln Brook Trail 1/2 mile upstream from where they expected to be. I strongly suspect they took the path blocked with 3 birch logs that went uphill too soon. Unlike a proper, compass guided bushwhack, this herd path meanders, altho a compass should be constantly consulted to ensure that you are going generally north. The path is mostly followed by the well worn footway, and wear marks on stepovers, of which there are many.
The USFS probably doesn't like this herd path, so be prepared for attempts to interfere. And, of course, don't do any unauthorized maintenance of the path. |
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 | Name: |
Anon E. Moose |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-09-01 |
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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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