| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, herd path, Owls Head Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 1, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
$5 payable in either cash or via the credit card reader. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Heading outbound, there are 3 crossings of note that get progressively more challenging. First 2 were not super tricky today, although care was needed as many of the exposed rocks were ice covered. For the 3rd, I went upstream ~150' and with spikes over garbage bags over shoes got across relatively dry. Deepest I had to step in was probably 6". On the way out I skipped the bags and stayed relatively dry. I met 2 hikers on the way out who had turned around at the last crossing, and one other hiker successfully crossed today. Pics of the crossing in the link, but expect to need traction and to step on submerged rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw none other than those on Lincoln Woods Trail. The crossings would be challenging for a dog and they will get soaked which depending on the dog may or may not be an issue. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
All was quiet on the Owl this New Year's Day. Only 2 of us summited today (2 others turned around at final river crossing). Bareboots to the 2nd crossing, where the rock spikes went on and stayed on until the Black Pond Bushwhack on the way out...at that point, the limited icy patches are easily avoidable and mostly dry trail. As mentioned in previous posts, Brutus is about as good as it gets traction wise, mostly frozen dirt. Snow becomes consistent at ~3500'. Pretty icy from top of Brutus up to the Summit, traction def required. Both of today's summitters had "rock spikes" and we both slid around a bit on the climb up and on the ridge but there are lots of exposed rocks/roots to supplement the traction. |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-01-01 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/10476223654 |
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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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