| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, bushwhack, Owl's Head Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 9, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room first thing this morning, but close to a full lot early this afternoon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Lincoln Woods crossing is still wide open (most folks appear to be using the closed bridge). Beyond the Black Pond bushwhack, crossing 1 was partially ice bridged (trickiest of the three, but not too bad), whereas crossing 2 and crossing 3 were mostly ice bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns on Black Pond Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Lincoln Woods Trail had two bootpacked paths going up it. Easily barebooted, but could also be skied or snowshoed.
Black Pond Trail was also fairly well packed out. Easily barebooted, but also could be snowshoed.
Black Pond bushwhack is following a less than optimal route with lots of sidehill (causing erosion, even with the snow) and going through some brush. As previously noted, it is time for this to be made into a proper trail to limit further environmental damage. There was about 6" or so of powder. Barebooted without issue, but would snowshoe if we get a little more snow (particularly to set a better line).
Lincoln Brook Trail was also barebootable with limited ice and one or two sections of slush. Some more snow and this should be snowshoeable.
Brutus bushwhack follows the traditional route, however the current line breaks uphill way too soon/steeply. I stayed in the birch glades longer and took a gradual route. A little sticky on the return, as this area bakes in the sun. 3-6" of snow, so a little bony for snowshoes.
Owl's Head Path from the boulder to the ridge was mostly packed powder with very little ice. I opted for spikes, but it could have been barebooted. More snow on the ridge, particularly as one reaches 4,000 feet in elevation. Perhaps 3 feet deep in places with some active drifting. There had been enough boot traffic recently that I could boot it, but I was glad to have my (light) snowshoes on my pack in case this had drifted over again.
Moderate number of folks doing Owl's Head today, but Lincoln Woods seemed busier than usual for winter with lots of causal walkers. Owl's Head is about as much of a lay up as it gets for winter right now. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-01-09 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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