Black Pond via Lincoln Woods (White Mountain National Forest)
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Distance: 7.22 miles
Elevation: 522 feet
Time: 2 hours, 43 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
Gen and I had just spent a great day up at Jay Peak practicing our skiing, and now it was time for the long journey home. I needed to stop in Lincoln to get my boots "punched" because I have mammoth feet, so while we waited we headed to Lincoln Woods for a morning hike. We got to the trailhead around 9 and got moving soon after. We were DELIGHTED to see that they now had a way to pay the day-use fee with a credit card! No more partially-filled envelopes! (Disclaimer: we were actually excited, we are 100% here for supporting the forest, we're just bad at remembering enough cash). The temperature was in the high teens with occasional wind - we put on our layers and got started!
Spikes went on immediately at the ranger cabin, where we chit chatted with the ranger for a few minutes as he watched us struggle with our spikes. He said we had a great plan heading to Black Pond, and then we comisserated over Owl's Head together. The East Branch of the Pemigewasset River was quickly flowing under the suspension bridge and through the icebergs with crystal clear water. We were shocked to see that the sun was peaking through the clouds on what was supposed to be a strictly cloudy day.
We turned onto the Lincoln Woods Trail, back in somewhat familiar territory... although out of the past three times we were on this trail two were in the dark and one was in the rain... The first landmark was the washout from Tropical Storm Irene, which is also the area where they may or may not close the trail someday for repairs. It definitely looks more washed out than before, but that could also just be becuase last time I saw it my head was down avoiding rain drops.
The flat hike continued through some beautiful woods along the old railroad corridor, and then we hit our second landmark: the Osseo Trail trailhead. Across from the trail sign is a kiosk telling about the history of the area, with a reminder to not steal anything (I didn't know I wanted an old railroad stake until now...). Soon after the Osseo Trail junction the trail comes close to the river's edge again where there is an excellent view of a snow-capped Bondcliff.
We noticed at each landmark along the Lincoln Woods Trail the snowshoe track got thinner. What started out as a wide, open, flat trail, is now only a couple feet wide with snowbanks on either side (that will give way if stepped on). Soon after the view there is a closed bridge and therefore a water crossing, but the rocks were excellently spaced to make the crossing very easy (and thankfully not icy). The trail continues through the serene woods before finally coming to the junction with the Black Pond Trail, which we were happy to take.
The footbed along this windy trail was just wide enough for a couple of snowshoes. Thankfully it was still cold enough that we were not postholing at all, but some people the past few days weren't quite as lucky. There were postholes over two feet deep - we were highly impressed. The Black Pond Trail starts by wiggling between trees with views to an old Ice Pond. There are a few ups and downs which would have been brutal without spikes. The trail crossed the Birch Island Brook three times, each a little wider than the previous, but none were too wide that a majestic leap couldn't conquer.
The trail then leads to a view of the water flowing out of Black Pond and a picturesque Owl's Head in the distance. A little further down at the trial terminus is a wide view of the frozen pond with the Bonds rising up behinid the trees. This was a beautiful area and I'm really glad we took the time to come visit, especially since we didn't take the bushwhack on our way to Owl's Head. We took a few moments to enjoy the view, and then started our way back.
The return trip was generally uneventful, but still beautiful. We started passing the afternoon tourist folks who were increasingly less friendly by the minute. We made our way back to the famed bridge, now the sky was much cloudier, and made out way back to the car. I put on my dry clothes in my favorite bathroom in the whole national forest, and we were on our way to pick up my boots and head home.
Step-By-Step
- Park at Lincoln Woods and begin hike by crossing suspension bridge.
- Turn right onto Lincoln Woods Trail
- Continue straight at jct. for Osseo Trail.
- At next junction, turn left onto Black Pond Trail.
- Hike Black Pond Trail to its terminus (a view of the pond with the Bonds in the background).
- Backtrack to car.
"Black Pond Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)
This east, yellow-blazed spur trail leaves Lincoln Woods Trail 2.6 mi. from the Kancamagus Highway parking area and ends at Black Pond, offering a view of Bondlciff from the shore. Diverging left (west) from Lincoln Woods Trail by an old logging camp site, Black Pond Trail first follows a former logging railroad spur, then leaves it on the left after 150 yds. and skirts teh north shore of an old ice pond, which is in sight but not actually reached. The trail then meanders to the right of a beaver-flooded area, making several turns and climbing over a low knoll; follow blazes carefully. At 0.2 mi., Black Pond trail turns rigiht onto an old logging road, crosses an overgrown logging camp clearing, approaches Birch Island Brook, and then bears slightyl right away from it up a moderate incline, following the brook on a narrow footway along a high bank. At 0.5 mi., the trail makes a short, sharp descend to cross the outlet brook from Black Pond and then recrosses it at a boggy spot. Soon the trail crosses the outlet brook for the third time and follows it to the outlet of Black Pond, where there is a view of Owl's Head Mtn. In another 100 yd. the maintained trail ends at the veiwpoint on the southwest shore.
No comments:
Post a Comment