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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Big Coolidge Mountain, South Whaleback Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Old Osseo Trail, bushwhacks
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, December 28, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: we parked in a visitors space in the clearbrook condo complex off of 112 in lincoln right near the start of the trail (building 108). 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: first crossing a short distance from parking requires either wet feet or shimmying across the large down tree at the crossing. we went with the latter and kept feet dry. the second crossing of the main brook had a hoppable area just down stream stepping on slightly submerged rocks. exposed rocks were quite icy. possible to also shimmy across a tree just upstream. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: the trail was in nice shape with little ice, mud, etc. ground is frozen in places and some frozen sections didn't have the best traction. a dusting of snow on top with leaves down especially above the second crossing. we followed the trail to the second water crossing and took a line on big coolidge staying on the fairly indistinct ridgeline as best we could. a continuous steep climb up through nice hardwood forest to start followed by decent spruce forest. then things got steeper and thicker with some blowdown and a couple small cliffy areas to negotiate. we found managable lines through the two we encountered going south to find routes through both and hit the summit ridge a few minutes walk south of the recognized highpoint. thankfully the cold temps kept the snow and ice covered trees up high from soaking us. a light coating of snow on the ground made some slick footing in spots especially on logs and roots. it also allowed us to follow our tracks back down through the cliff areas we ascended after which we headed back down the path of least resistance eventually crossing back over our ascent prints which we saw on and off back to the brook. after crossing the brook it was a stiff ascent with good footing on the trail up to just below the col between whaleback and south whaleback. this section of trail is in nice shape and a real cool stretch of walking. from near the col we took a line on the nw peak of south whaleback and after a good ascent with minor scrappy woods we were at its recognized highpoint though the true highpoint is the peak to the south which we went to next finding mostly ok woods with some blowdown and a dusting of snow on everything. a fairly short hike had us at the true recognized highpoint. we headed back the same way dropping more directly to the col in nicer woods than we ascended and then retraced our steps down the trail.
nice hike for a first true taste of winter this year. decidedly cold up high especially in the shaded woods. nice views from numerous points along the route. noted both fresh bear and moose prints high on the old osseo trail. feels strange to see bear prints this time of year.
 
Name
Name: bryan, Nordic Gal 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bryancuddihee@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-12-28 
Link
Link: https:// 
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