| 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 |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 5, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lincoln Woods. Rumor has it they're actually ticketing non-payers, so make sure your pass is displayed or you pay the $5 |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossings on Lincoln Brook Trail were a little high but manageable rock hops, though I did use submerged rocks - prepare to get your feet wet if you're not wearing completely waterproof boots. Check the USGS Pemi River page for water info. I generally don't attempt Owl if the Pemi is rising. Lincoln Brook rises quickly. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Hard to tell if the trail is actually following Owl's Head Path on the ridge, might be some blowdowns on that. On Lincoln Brook trail at the major tributary crossing before you cross Lincoln Brook it looks like the tributary flowed over the trail, again an assessment that will have to wait for meltout. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
I saw...a flying insect. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A single Hillsound...I put it on a branch intending to grab it on the way out BUT forgot. Sorry! |
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|
 | Comments: |
I thought I'd seen a report for this earlier this week, but it seems to be gone - so here's the scoop pre-Saturday/Sunday rain event. I'm writing this on Sunday morn, and while it's been drizzling on and off since yesterday afternoon, a peek at the Pemi River page doesn't indicate the water level has gone up yet.
Overall, much better conditions than expected and glad to grab this before things really start to melt out. Lower trails were the most annoying - a few inches of newer snow (last weekend's storm?) on Lincoln Woods (I know, I was expecting this to be totally melted out), Black Pond, Lincoln Brook trails. I thought about snowshoes because traction was so annoying and I did posthole a few times, but there are so many open/muddy/river spots interspersed and beneath that I opted to bareboot to Brutus. Another group wore snowshoes through Lincoln Brook trail and took them off at the bottom of Brutus. At Brutus, things change entirely - Brutus is mostly bare at the bottom, some ice, then transitions to solid monorail, and solid track (on several feet of snow) up higher. Temps were in the mid-30's, no sun, so this may be different on a warmer day. Spikes up to the summit and back to the bottom of Brutus. As noted in previous reports, who knows if the packed track actually follows Owl's Head Path across the ridge, but it gets you there. The actual summit is hard to pick out because of the drifting (5-6 feet deep, at least) but somehow the summit cairn is melted/dug out!
As noted above, water crossings were ok but did use a couple submerged rocks. Feet were soaked from the slushfest anyways, so it didn't really matter. I did carry trash bags in case a total wade was necessary, but not so. Also noted above, Lincoln Brook can rise dramatically in short order in a rain/melt event, which I have unfortunately had the pleasure of finding out in person. As spring progresses, it's important to keep an eye on the USGS water page. The Pemi has some pretty obvious diurnal cycles on warm days as the snow is melting.
Obviously as with every report - things will change with the weather. |
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 | Name: |
woodsyjess |
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 | E-Mail: |
woodsyjess@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-04-06 |
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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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