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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Owl's Head, NH
Trails
Trails: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 19, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Lincoln Woods lot full at 0615 Saturday. We parked about 0.2m west in the overflow line along the road toward Lincoln. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All water crossings simple. Shoes stayed on, the two crossings at the upper part of Lincoln Brook needed only slight care to rock hop. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blowdowns and erosion in spots, but nothing significant of note to block the way. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: A few happy dogs through the day. I didn't see any on the slide, but would think a more hearty dog would be needed for this long trek. 
Bugs
Bugs: None. Thank you September. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nice pair of black EMS gloves at the fire pit junction of Lincoln Brook & Black Pond Bushwhack, at the turn where Lincoln Brook crosses the river. Left them neatly stacked there. 
 
Comments
Comments: My first hike of Owl's Head, after reading about it for a long time. While a good plan is helpful, I've overthought how to prepare. A great long day out, aided by perfect September weather, bluebird skies, and mostly dry going thanks to the summer drought. Water levels are very low, crossings essentially easy, trails mostly dry, and navigation needing only slight care. If it's on your list, this week is the time to visit Owl's Head.

We ascended via Black Pond Trail/Bushwhack. Navigation note: Just past the pond & little mudpit, the trail appears to continue uphill, blocked by a few branches. Turn right and follow the trail a few hundred feet, where a few more branches block the trail. Turn left to follow trail uphill. (As described by Pappy on 9/15).

Black Pond Bushwhack easy to follow through beautiful open woods. Footing is generally good, no real 'bushwhacking'.

We chose to ascend the slide. It's gnarly and steep, but simple enough to navigate, with manageable footing and handholds. Care is needed, but nothing to fear in dry conditions. I wouldn't want to do it when wet.

I was less excited about descending the slide. We found and took Brutus down. It is very steep, with a few slippery spots in dry soil, but much better footing than loose rocks of the slide. I recommend Brutus for descent, and would go that way again. Gaia GPS helpful and accurate for finding top & bottom of Brutus Bushwhack. I probably would have walked by it without GPS aid.

Fun bird sightings: Two Black-throated Blue Warblers while descending Brutus, three Ruffed Grouse (trail chickens) while ascending Black Pond Bushwhack.

We thought the hikers we met through the day might be the most friendly and knowledgeable group we've met yet on our White Mountains journeys. I suspect you'll find the same. NH4k #24/48 for me. Keep hiking.  
Name
Name: Lord Bass 
E-Mail
E-Mail: lordbass@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-09-20 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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