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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Owl's Head, NH
Trails
Trails: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, August 5, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Lincoln Woods already pretty full at 6:30am from backpackers and day hikers. Full when I returned by 2:30pm. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Due to doing the bushwhack, I skipped the first two crossings. The last one on Lincoln Brook trail was deep; I waded through. (One way water reached mid-thigh, on way back found a different route and water only went knee-high.) Speaking to a total of 5 people who had been camping, yesterday's water levels were very high, and all crossings along 'the normal' route were much easier today. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Black Pond Bushwhack partially obscured by fallen trees near Black Pond. Small part of the route is also under water. Got me back to proper bushwhacking and navigating with compass and gps--was fun. The usual fallen trees on top of Owl's Head. Nothing bad overall. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: none on the trail at all--plenty of water to drink along the route 
Bugs
Bugs: morning was bug free; a few annoying ones once from 11am or so forward, but nothing bad 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: n/a 
 
Comments
Comments: Counted a total of 18 people on the route today (myself included) and I seem to have been the only one going via Black Pond, and for almost everyone it was the first time on that summit. As usual Owl's Head makes you work for it, and today's humidity resulted in dripping sweat non-stop going up the slide. The slide itself was at least 50% of the time a stream of water; same above the slide. But traction was nonetheless very good. My favorite people today were the three hikers I met near the top of the Owl--two of them just having summited their final 48. Congrats again, and thank you for your serenade! 'Til next time--you set the bar high for the encore ;)
Came across what I assume to be an illegal campsite near Black Pond. Half of a fire ring that was used recently was still in place. Came across it as I returned toward the pond via the bushwhack but had to veer from the track due to fallen trees. I assume it is situated within the forest protection boundary.
 
Name
Name:
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-08-05 
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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