| 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: |
Sunday, April 20, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
$5, cash or a machine that takes cards. Permanent bathroom still out of order, 2 portas available. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
E. Branch of Pemi was at 6.5, so I figured the crossings would be a challenge. The 2nd to last cross before Brutus was not too bad, had to step on an ankle deep rock. The crossing right before Brutus was a challenge. We went upstream/downstream a bit, but ended up just wading through right where the trail crosses. Mostly shin deep. On the way down I met a couple of hikers trying to figure out how to cross who didn't find my technique appealing. Not sure if they made it, they were trying to make a log bridge when I left. Poles came in handy to keep 3 points of contact while wading. I think the total for the day was 3 people took the plunge, and 2 turned around at the final crossing. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Met a woman as I was leaving who was searching for Wally, the run away boxer who had been missing (I think since Friday). It was not her dog, she was a local Good Samaritan. Apparently the dog had been seen in the LW lot on Sat but ran away. She started the hike with me but we co-surmised that the dog probably wouldn't have crossed the river, so she went back to hike the other side. Fast forward ~5 miles and I caught up to Andrew and asked him if he'd seen Wally. "Seen him, I found him this morning and his owner was sitting in the LW lot and came running over and tackled both of us!"
So, good job Andrew, Hero of the Day and a Happy Easter for Wally!
No other dogs, the river crossings would require a strong pooch, and carrying would be tricky with the high water. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Started at 7:15, mostly bare trail until the end of Black Pond Bushwhack where it joins with Lincoln Brook Trail. What snow/ice there was could easily be avoided. At that point the monorail started and was still mostly firm. A few postholes on the sideslope section along the river. Continued in bare boots until about half way up Brutus, with alternating bare ground and avoidable sections of snow/ice. Microspikes were needed for the section after Brutus that climbs up to the ridge, so might as well put them on as soon as the ice/snow gets consistent. Along the ridge the trail becomes hard to follow in places, and it becomes a bit of a free-for all, just don't go too far from the ridge. The snow was mostly supportive, but evidence of people stepping into deep spruce traps previously. There is still 3-4' of snow in places, on a warm day the ridge will be challenging for a while. Lots of blowdowns requiring the trail to divert and people have had different opinions. Snow had become slushy on the way down making the stretch of Lincoln Brook Trail along the river a bit tedious with frequent postholing. |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-04-20 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/14236549791 |
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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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