Owl's Head

Trails Used

Lincoln Woods, Black Pond, Lincoln Brook and Brutus.

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Shoulder season hike. As the check marks above say ice and snow is melting and making a mess. the trail had plenty of water and mud. Almost hard to not get in it. Temps were ok, so I just embraced the "suck" as my hubby said and went into the water. Others were better about it. Monorail is thin, easy to slide off and post hole. We got it done and earned our burgers. Nano spikes helpful at some points, but Micro spikes were necessary.

Parking

not a problem. Pay the $5

Water Crossings

a challenge. We heard it was rock hoppable 2 days earlier. A bit tough to rock hop. Some did that. I just waded through it and took the wet boots and socks. On our way in the Ranger did warn us about the water crossings.

Wildlife

none

Trails Used

Lincoln Woods trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

16.7 miles total distance. First mile or two barefoot, then microspikes for rest of hike. Snowshoes could be warranted as temperatures warm. K-10s or crampons recommended for icy spots but microspikes with caution adequate. Water crossings passable with 3-4 inches of rushing water. Poles recommended for water crossings. Hard crust at higher elevations, softening at lower elevations.

Water Crossings

All water crossings passable. Should be fine through the weekend until warmer temperatures and/or precipitation. Requires ability to briefly step in 3-4 inches of rushing water without getting wet and having poles.

Trails Used

LW, Black Pond, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, bushwhack, Owls Head Path

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Bare boots all the way to the final bushwhack. Spikes remained on for the rest of the day. Found the trail to be a bit lumpy. Not necessarily postholes but some degrading areas of monorail, a few bare boots spots, and the warmer temps earlier making the entire trail lumpy. My ankles did not agree. I’ve found along LW, random spots on trail and it’s definitely slippery! Overall in good shape and the temps today firmed things up. Up high, approaching the summit on the flat areas, some unconsolidated snow remains. Not enough to bust out snowshoes and the traffic made it manageable. Saw maybe 5 others out there today, all in spikes. Take your time at the water crossings and enjoy!

Parking

6 cars at LW today, restrooms down for maintenance but portables available.

Water Crossings

All water bars were easy enough. 1st & 2nd major crossings saw some ice/snow and water levels normal. 3rd crossing was a challenge due to more ice, bigger hops. Nothing bridged but manageable with poles and your patience.

Trails Used

Lincoln Woods, Black Pond, Lincoln Brook and Brutus/Owl's Head Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

I followed 2 sets of SS prints which was helpful for the first 5 miles in my snowshoes. But by the water crossings on Lincoln Brook the prior day and night snow mostly wiped the slate clean so light trail breaking to the summit and back. By the Lincoln Woods Trail and Osseo Trail on my exit,I switched to bareboots as the trail was packed out from all the day's LW foot traffic. Overall surprisingly good conditions except Lincoln Brook is tedious with the seemingly endless water drainages with open ground, water, rocks and mud and 2-4' drops in and out. The trail requires snowshoes but the ditches were annoying wearing snowshoes. Typical spring conditions where you're in the wrong footwear for some of the time. PS no ice showing on the Brutus bushwhack but no doubt is in hiding under the snow. I carried spikes and crampons.

Parking

Lincoln Woods parking lot mostly empty.

Water Crossings

1st was mostly open but low flow. The 2nd and 3rd water crossings were mostly bridged with a few easy long steps/short rock hops. Water flow was low so easily traversed.

Wildlife

Happily sleeping.