| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, bushwhacks, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owl's Head Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 16, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues, well plowed and plenty of room, not too icy |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Some small seeps still open and easy step overs but the largest crossings are all well bridged and easy to cross |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few duckunders on Lincoln Woods trail and plenty of branches leaning into the trail on the upper part of Brutus BW but overall nothing crazy for this time of year |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Hannah had a good day - no specific problems for seasoned winter hiking dogs that can tolerate long days, lots of miles and only a loosely packed trail |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Snowshoes car to car - Lincoln Woods had a narrow broken out trench, soft snow but easy enough with snowshoes. We were a bit surprised to find Black Pond trail unbroken - small layer of crust over 8-12" of fairly compact snow made for reasonably easy trail breaking. We followed a faint trough through the Black Pond BW - if we stepped off track we'd break through close to 16-18" so that helped us stay on track while reestablishing the path - BW stays higher than in other years but avoids most areas of open water and brings you right down to the crossing/campsite area. We were very surprised to find Lincoln Brook trail broken from the other side of the crossing - the broken out trail continued for about a mile then abruptly stopped where it looks like someone broke through in an area where the trail is basically in a stream and had to turn around - we broke trail from there again. Fortunately there was a faint trough on Brutus BW to follow as well but trail breaking was tough - easily 12" to start with closer to 18" up high - the steeps were especially slow as there was lots of sliding backwards while trying to compact the snow and get a good grip. Once past the rock and the junction with Owl's Head path there were plenty of snow covered branches hanging into the trail, but still no issues following the trail up to the ridge and over to the summit. Fortunately the trip down was faster and uneventful with no additional obstacles encountered. Only four people on the trail today, fortunately we were all wearing snowshoes, thanks to the other two gentleman for helping break a bit of trail and helping to compact the rest. If you're going to hike this in the next few days you will absolutely need snowshoes - Lincoln Woods may be spike-able after Sunday but from Black Pond trail on the snow is still very soft and unconsolidated - if you wear spikes you will definitely punch through at crossings, cause dangerous postholes and not be able to summit. Another epic hike to Owl's Head but as always a great day in the woods - thanks Ali and Hannah for an awesome adventure! |
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 | Name: |
Hikes with Hannah |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-02-17 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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