Trail: Owl's Head via Lincoln Woods and Lincoln Brook

Date Hiked: 15JUL06

Conditions: Lincoln Woods trail has no mud or blow downs, a few moist spots easily walked around. Franconia Brook and Lincoln Brook have some bigger mud spots but still easy to get around. All brook crossing hopable except the threeor four of Lincoln Brook. You can try, and you might make it the first time or the second but then your luck will run out and you will be wet. Mosiquitoes were out in force but not as bad as on Hale a few weeks ago. Owls Head Slide trailhead clearly marked for the moment. Had a little trouble following the trail on the way up, built cairns as I went. Found several cut blazes, tried to position them so they could be seen. Heard path to true summit extremely difficult to follow with lots of false trails.

Special Required Equipment: Water and deet

Comments: Owls Head Slide trail could really use some guerilla maintenance. Many big blow downs. Most are old with heard paths around them. Actually the whole side of the mountain is covered with herd paths which can't be good. Definately needs a better trail to the true summit. Had the trail to myself all morning, Passed about 15 people or so on the return trip. Missed a rock on one of the Lincoln Brook crossings, fell in, got a lot of bruises and had to walk out sopping wet. (30/48)

Lincoln Woods Trail. It almost never ends.

Amanita flavoconia???

Large Purple-fringed Orchid Platanthera grandiflora

Hairy Solomon's Seal Polygonatum pubescens?

Owl's Head Slide trail trailhead. Note cairns on right and left of Lincoln Brook Trail.

Mt. Lafayette from Owl's Head slide

Mt. Flume and Mt. Liberty from Owl's Head slide

Blue Bead Lilly (Clintonia) Clintonia borealis

Lanced-leaved Goldenrod Euthamia graminifolia