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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Owl's Head, NH
Trails
Trails: Lincoln Wood Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, Owls Head Path, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 26, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: nothing to mention 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: There are a total of nine (9) water crossings and that is just one way! The level of the water isn't to be underestimated. We spent time looking for spots along the edge to safely rock hop across but some of us have shorter legs and aren't as, let's say, confident as others to simply "jump". One of the crossings we took off our boots but after that one we committed to keeping them on. There is a pretty decent tree that fell across one of the waterways that in chatting with a few other hikers they also used it to cross the water going in (not sure if it was used going out though) We skipped it on the way out as we decided (having stashed dry shoes & socks after the last water crossing) it was far simpler to take the plunge and walk right through all of the water crossings as to not risk any spills. NOTE: if the temps were lower this wouldn't have been our first choice but being it was a nice early fall day we were confident in our decision.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There are some notable trees down on Lincoln Brook Trail that require going around off trail into the mud. As a hiker, I'd like to see markers on this trail at some interval. Being prepared and knowing your route is important but having a few blazes could only help the ever growing group of folks out hiking in the wilderness.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: no dogs on the trail today 
Bugs
Bugs: no bugs either  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Lincoln Wood Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, up the slide to summit, reverse route but took the bushwhack instead of slide down.

When you are slower hikers you have many other who pass you on the way in and on their way out. We didn't chat long with any particular set of hikers but found everyone to be upbeat with the decent day ahead of us. One trail runner was a little "rude" at a water crossing. As one in my group was navigating the rocks, in the middle of the crossing, he didn't even hesitate but to go face to face with my hiking buddy (which wasn't cool at all) as he hop, skipped and jumped across keeping his time as she was negotiating carefully her steps across.

Everyone we passed noted the wetness of the trails from the recent rain that came in the previous night. We took the slide up, which given the conditions of recent rain was fairly easy to navigate and not overly slippery. We opted to take the bushwhack back down which proved to be a good decision. The trail is becoming more evident but still has areas that are not as easily followed. I'm a fairly decent tracker and actually like this part of the route down. Its steepness shouldn't be underestimated and with the leaves on the wet ground can prove to be slippery in some sections. It is very pretty and brings you right back to the first water crossing back out onto Lincoln Brook Trail.

Having headlamps at the ready our last few miles were illuminated by happy hikers and the glow of our headlamps. We returned to the parking area with a light frost on the windshield of my car.

We counted the hikers that were Owls Head summiteers - 22 is the number we came up with.  
Name
Name: Kally Abrams 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kally.abrams@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-10-28 
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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