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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Flume, NH
Trails
Trails: Lincoln Woods Trail, Osseo Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 12, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: I was very surprised when I pulled into Lincoln Woods @ 0700 to find a total of four other vehicles in the lot...and two of those left as I was getting ready in my car. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None on this route. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: One small tree down on Osseo Trail at ~ 2400' which is a walk-around. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I saw one heading up at the stairs as I was descending. 
Bugs
Bugs: None. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: Lincoln Woods Trail is packed with maybe 1" of thickness. Osseo Trail is minimal depth and a bit boney in spots until about 2500' when the snow depth noticeably starts to increase but trail conditions are somewhat loose and a bit sticky over an original snowshoe track. This small section of Franconia Ridge Trail is mostly bare rock out of the trees.

Today Osseo Trail was frustrating in that there really was no good answer for footwear IMO. Barebooting seemed like too much work and Microspikes would be useless. An increasing argument could be made for snowshoes at about 2800' but:

1) The wooden stairs are still visible and can be stepped on instead of stepped in. Snowshoes would be a hinderance on this stretch, and
2) Since the summit area is exposed rock snowshoes would be a nuisance here also.

The areas below and above the stairs could use a good flattening. I ended up carrying snowshoes the entire way not wanting to do the on/off routine a couple of times while trying to beat the rain - the trail is no worse now than how I found it as it is mostly supportive. I wore Hillsound Trail Crampon Pros the entire way for the added traction and they worked as well as anything. I think the only answer here is another foot or two of snow.

Real quiet day here - I saw only four others on Osseo Trail the entire trek. No views at the top but I'll gladly trade that for the warmish temps and lack of wind experienced today. Had a peaceful lunch at the downlook on my way out. As it happened it started to sprinkle about 15 minutes after I finished.  
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail: trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-12-12 
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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