| 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, bushwhack, Franconia Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 24, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lincoln Woods lot was full @ 7:15 AM so I was one of the early ones on the Kanc's shoulder. FWIW the stretch of road in Lincoln has been grated. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All were easily rock hopped. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of spots on LBT have been eroded by the bank. Nothing more of significance other than a few unavoidable muddy areas and downed trees which were easily passable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a couple on the trails below the peak, none on top. |
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 | Bugs: |
Near zero. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
I lost a red bandana somewhere on the second bushwhack described below. I am confident it will never be found. |
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 | Comments: |
How does one make a trip to Owl's Head interesting? Well, here's how I did it:
- Ride bike*** from car to Black Pond Trail junction and lock it to a tree.
- Hike N on Black Pond Trail and continue N via bushwhack.
- Hike Lincoln Brook Trail W then N PAST the slide entrance to height of land.
- Bushwhack SE on NW ridge to summit.
- Descend via herd paths to Owl's Head path then onto Brutus Bushwhack.
- Hike Lincoln Brook, Franconia Brook and Lincoln Woods Trails to Black Pond Trail junction.
- Unlock bike and ride it back to car.
For many years the NW ridge of Owl's Head has intrigued me so today was the day to check it out. Once beyond the end of Black Pond Trail I lost the common Black Pond 'Bushwhack' route so I made a true bushwhack out of it and headed N and favoring W just a bit - it worked out just fine. While taking a break at the slide path entrance at least five people were expecting a sign indicating that was it (nope, not an official trail, Wilderness, etc.). I then continued N to HOL and hooked back SE ascending the NW ridge. Woods were easy/moderate for most of the way with a couple of thick but brief spots. Maybe 300 or so yards from the summit I found a herd path to follow which led right to the top - an unexpected surprise. After lunch I wound my way by the slide path down to the Brutus Bushwhack which really cannot be called a bushwhack at this point. Making decent time I decided to hike the trails on the way out. Once on the bike I was back at the car in no time.
This NW ridge bushwhack route was of course much more gradual than the slide but longer in terms of mileage. I'm not sure that the net effect on time is as I haven't been on the slide in many years. Maybe in another few years I'll go up the slide and do a comparison :)
*** I know, I know: riding a bike doesn't 'count' as I was reminded several times during the day. I'm not peakbagging so I'm only counting this as a unique experience. It's hard to believe someone went to Owl's Head that doesn't 'need' it for a list...I'm still having a little trouble believing it myself!
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
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 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-08-25 |
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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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