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, Owls Head Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 28, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were snow bridged today, but not comfortably stable. The second and third (final) crossing on LBT both had open spots in the middle. On the way in we carefully picked our path across, one at a time, testing with each step. On our return the sound of the water running underneath was notably louder. We carefully retraced our steps across, which another hiker had also followed after us. After I was most of the way across the second crossing I did have a foot punch through the ice (not wearing snowshoes at this point), but it didn't dunk and I saved a fall. I would not bet on these bridges holding up tomorrow. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No real issues. There are some blowdowns low on Brutus and high up on Owl's Head Path you'll need to go around. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
A few mosquitos surprisingly. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We were the first two out to Owl's Head since the last snow fall. Black Pond Trail was packed out but ended at the start of the bushwhack path. We tossed on snowshoes and tracked it out through 4-5" of light powder snow. Once we hit Lincoln Brook Trail the temps were around the freezing point so the snowshoes were balling up in the wetter sections. The snowpack isn't very deep here, and even less on the steep slopes of Brutus which was very greasy. To descend Brutus I switched to Hillsounds since my Dion's traction was certainly not up to this task, but they didn't fare much better. The snow consistency by now was slushy causing frequent balling, and only a few inches deep over bare ground.
There were only four others hiking Owl's Head today. The conditions are likely to change significantly with the warmer air and rain moving in over the next few days. Even if planning to do this tomorrow (Sunday, 12/29) the water crossings may be open and the trails may be all slush. To put it another way, the old bird may not be ripe for the plucking for some time.
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 | Name: |
Kyle L & E.T. Fudge |
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 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2024-12-28 |
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 | Link: |
https://www.strava.com/activities/13210964686 |
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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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