| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, herd path, Owl's Head Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Many open spots in the Lincoln Woods lot at 6:00AM. Fee lot. Toilet facilities. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The water levels were not high. Brooks easily crossed on rocks. The Black Pond herd path eliminates the Franconia Brook and first Lincoln Brook crossings on the Lincoln Brook Trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Maintained trails were in good condition. Some tree falls at ground level consistent with wilderness policy.
There are a cluster of tree falls near the Black Pond end of the Black Pond herd path that are easily stepped over.
Some tree falls and leaners on the Owl's Head Path that are easy to get by. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The hike is doable for dogs as at least one dog summited today. Some dogs may not like the loose rocks on the slide section of the Owl's Head Path. |
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 | Bugs: |
None except dragonflies at Black Pond. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
There was very little mud on the Lincoln Woods Trail. This trail is easy hiking with railroad ties embedded in the surface in places.
The Black Pond Trail is easy. It skirts some wetland areas. No moose today. Just before arriving at Black Pond there is a step off to the right where there is an excellent view of Owl's Head. Black Pond is small and surrounded by forest some of which displayed some Fall leaf color. The large tamarack tree has not turned golden yellow. Nice view and reflection in the water of the Bonds from the shore.
The Black Pond herd path is quite evident as it has been used so much. It is holding up well for an unmaintained path. A couple of mud spots on the northern section of the herd path. The herd path bears right from a large mud section at the terminus of the Black Pond Trail. After a short distance the herd path veers to the left. Once you are on the herd path it is not difficult to follow. The herd path end at a clearing by the Lincoln Brook Trail just after its first crossing of Lincoln Brook.
The Lincoln Brook trail follows alongside its namesake brook that has nice ledges, small cataracts, and some colorful leaves. Some short stretches of Lincoln Brook are muddy. There are rocks, logs, or adjacent bypasses to avoid most of the mud. The mud wasn't as bad today as it often is. As noted previously, the brook crossings were not difficult. Just before the Lincoln Brook Trail arrives at the start of the Owl's Head Path, the surface changes to a light-colored rock.
Two cairns mark the beginning of the Owl's Head Path. There are occasional small cairns to mark the way. There are views of the backside of Franconia Ridge and the Lincoln Slide. At one point the trail up the slide splits. I took the right path at this fork. There are some badly eroded spots on this route. The two options up the slide merge higher up. Above the slide, the footing improves and eventually the grade eases. The ridgeline walk to the true summit is an easy walk and no longer has a confusing network of trails. There is one very short side trail that affords a good view to Mt Bond and Bondcliff as well as Mt Carrigain through the trees. There is no prominent feature to mark the summit. In the past there was a small cairn but today there was a very small stack or rocks that could easily be overlooked.
The Brutus Bushwhack (herd path) diverges from the Owl's Head Path at a large boulder. There are some sticks somewhat blocking this herd path that are easy to walk over. The dry conditions made the Brutus Bushwhack a fine descent route. In wetter weather, the trail tends to get muddy and the down sloping roots can be a slide risk. No problem today. There is one right turm at the bottom of a steep slope marked by a small cairn. The path straight ahead goes nowhere at this junction.
One woman from Portland completed her 48 NH 4K today and another man was heading toward Owl's Head to complete his 48 NH 4K. Talked to many boy scouts and their leader who camped in the vicinity of Black Pond after they hiked Owl's Head yesterday. Saw many hikers who camped near the foot of the Owl's Head Path. A family of four from Ware MA finished their 47th peak today on Owl's Head with just Cannon to go. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK@Roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-15 |
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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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