NH Tramper
Member
Date of Hike: Mar. 15, 2013
Trail Conditions: A great day for Owl's Head, and since all of trails were well broken, well packed, and very solid underfoot, it was a great day to give the snowshoes a rest for a change. Now some specifics: Lincoln Woods Trail started off a little icy but it was easy to transit with bare boots, and the ice ended soon enough as it became a more ski-worthy surface. Black Pond Trail was easy going barring a couple easy jump-over run-off crossings and one log in the trail. The Black Pond Bushwhack was in even better shape, firm and easy going. The transition from the bushwhack to Lincoln Brook Trail was no more noticeable than a sudden left turn after the little clearing (we also noticed the bushwhack from Franconia Falls Trail is also somewhat broken out for those interested in this option). The major crossing on LBT, which is easy going up to this point, before the bushwhack, was doable... and simple in one place, for now. When approaching the river you will cross over a fairly solidly bridged section, before the peninsula, then when you arrive at the main open water crossing next, bear right (S/SE), following most of the tracks and you should spot a debarked log. This seems to be the easiest way across; hold onto the log with your arm and walk on the ice-covered rocks below. Works well both ways, coming and going. Do bear in mind, however, that the ice is breaking up, soft spots are forming, it's getting thinner, and slushier in places. I would advise hikers to use great caution, probing and testing as they go, and being sure to wear traction before attempting to cross. The Brutus Bushwhack was well trodden, too, and easy to follow. It's steep so we wore spikes, but there was almost no trail ice so we didn't need crampons. One fellow, however, stated he wished he had some so you might want to bring them if it'll make you more comfortable. We used Hillsounds and were content. The .25 that-a-way sign is now two nails with blue things in a tree and the summit is north of there. It seems there is a blowdown on the true summit itself, but it didn't get in the way of our success. This is where the herd path ended. The cairn, assuming it's still there, must be buried deep.
Special Equipment Used: We used spikes and would advise the same, especially for the crossings and steeper sections. Snowshoes weren't needed at all today. I was also recommend at least one in your party have trekking poles to help determine a safe route across the ice. The crossing is pretty remote and it'd be a bad place to take a swim in March. Also, in addition to the bushwhacks, snow depths on the trail must still be a good three to four feet up high (much of the higher trail's canopy is now at face level making things tighter in places); so there are sections of this route in which wearing glasses might not be a bad idea so as to prevent eye injury. At least be aware of this possibility when you're up there.
Comments: Hiked this one with friends Bill Robichaud (Brobichaud) and Inna Radzihovsky. It was a great hike and the weather proved very nice for it. We also met Keith (Lefty E) and his hiking partner Priscilla in the lot and on the mountain later. It was great meeting you guys! And if it wasn't crowded enough today, we met another part led by a Mainer named Jack and two of his cronies. Also nice meeting you guys.
ADDED 3/16: Photo of crossing log.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
Trail Conditions: A great day for Owl's Head, and since all of trails were well broken, well packed, and very solid underfoot, it was a great day to give the snowshoes a rest for a change. Now some specifics: Lincoln Woods Trail started off a little icy but it was easy to transit with bare boots, and the ice ended soon enough as it became a more ski-worthy surface. Black Pond Trail was easy going barring a couple easy jump-over run-off crossings and one log in the trail. The Black Pond Bushwhack was in even better shape, firm and easy going. The transition from the bushwhack to Lincoln Brook Trail was no more noticeable than a sudden left turn after the little clearing (we also noticed the bushwhack from Franconia Falls Trail is also somewhat broken out for those interested in this option). The major crossing on LBT, which is easy going up to this point, before the bushwhack, was doable... and simple in one place, for now. When approaching the river you will cross over a fairly solidly bridged section, before the peninsula, then when you arrive at the main open water crossing next, bear right (S/SE), following most of the tracks and you should spot a debarked log. This seems to be the easiest way across; hold onto the log with your arm and walk on the ice-covered rocks below. Works well both ways, coming and going. Do bear in mind, however, that the ice is breaking up, soft spots are forming, it's getting thinner, and slushier in places. I would advise hikers to use great caution, probing and testing as they go, and being sure to wear traction before attempting to cross. The Brutus Bushwhack was well trodden, too, and easy to follow. It's steep so we wore spikes, but there was almost no trail ice so we didn't need crampons. One fellow, however, stated he wished he had some so you might want to bring them if it'll make you more comfortable. We used Hillsounds and were content. The .25 that-a-way sign is now two nails with blue things in a tree and the summit is north of there. It seems there is a blowdown on the true summit itself, but it didn't get in the way of our success. This is where the herd path ended. The cairn, assuming it's still there, must be buried deep.
Special Equipment Used: We used spikes and would advise the same, especially for the crossings and steeper sections. Snowshoes weren't needed at all today. I was also recommend at least one in your party have trekking poles to help determine a safe route across the ice. The crossing is pretty remote and it'd be a bad place to take a swim in March. Also, in addition to the bushwhacks, snow depths on the trail must still be a good three to four feet up high (much of the higher trail's canopy is now at face level making things tighter in places); so there are sections of this route in which wearing glasses might not be a bad idea so as to prevent eye injury. At least be aware of this possibility when you're up there.
Comments: Hiked this one with friends Bill Robichaud (Brobichaud) and Inna Radzihovsky. It was a great hike and the weather proved very nice for it. We also met Keith (Lefty E) and his hiking partner Priscilla in the lot and on the mountain later. It was great meeting you guys! And if it wasn't crowded enough today, we met another part led by a Mainer named Jack and two of his cronies. Also nice meeting you guys.
ADDED 3/16: Photo of crossing log.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
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