alpinista
Active member
It was time for me to test out a new pair of boots (Lowa's low-cuts) and for AMSTony to test out his knee, which has been giving him fits and starts for a few months now.
So we settled on a simple walk in the woods: Lincoln Woods. We were shocked to pull into the parking lot off the Kanc and see not tons of hikers, nor swarms of most other folks _ just a few canoers! We were more than fine with that, relishing the idea of a nice, calm and fret-free hike to sweat out our own various stress-filled lives.
We took off across the suspension bridge and, of course, came face to face with the long slog of the trail that this is. Flat for miles on in, tree covered, and on this day, practically desolate.
We made good time getting to the defaced sign marking the start of the Osseo Trail and soon came upon the turnoff for Black Pond. We opted to take the turnoff, and enjoyed the minor ups and downs, twisty, windy terrain and the funky maze of yellow blazes that direct you past open marshes, forest and a couple of minor brook crossings.
Once at Black Pond, we spied just one lone guy out fishing off on the rocks. We walked over some blowdowns to see if we could find out where the old shelter used to stand. But all I found (while out on a bathroom break), was a makeshift tentsite complete with fire ring along a flat section on the slope above the pond. This is an area that is certainly tramped around a bit by stealth campers _ as well as those of us who have used it as a bushwack toward Owl's Head.
After spending a few minutes eating gorp, gabbing and gazing out at the Bonds across the way, Tony and I double-backed and headed up to Franconia Falls. We were shocked to see just one family of four at the falls. It was a gorgeous day, there was no snow left in these parts and it's an easy hike that should invite plenty of visitors.
We got back to the parking lot after covering about 8.5 miles in three hours. For me, it was a great day _ made even better by stopping by Mountain Wanderer and having a lovely conversation with Steve Smith. Thanks, Steve!
Pix are
Here
So we settled on a simple walk in the woods: Lincoln Woods. We were shocked to pull into the parking lot off the Kanc and see not tons of hikers, nor swarms of most other folks _ just a few canoers! We were more than fine with that, relishing the idea of a nice, calm and fret-free hike to sweat out our own various stress-filled lives.
We took off across the suspension bridge and, of course, came face to face with the long slog of the trail that this is. Flat for miles on in, tree covered, and on this day, practically desolate.
We made good time getting to the defaced sign marking the start of the Osseo Trail and soon came upon the turnoff for Black Pond. We opted to take the turnoff, and enjoyed the minor ups and downs, twisty, windy terrain and the funky maze of yellow blazes that direct you past open marshes, forest and a couple of minor brook crossings.
Once at Black Pond, we spied just one lone guy out fishing off on the rocks. We walked over some blowdowns to see if we could find out where the old shelter used to stand. But all I found (while out on a bathroom break), was a makeshift tentsite complete with fire ring along a flat section on the slope above the pond. This is an area that is certainly tramped around a bit by stealth campers _ as well as those of us who have used it as a bushwack toward Owl's Head.
After spending a few minutes eating gorp, gabbing and gazing out at the Bonds across the way, Tony and I double-backed and headed up to Franconia Falls. We were shocked to see just one family of four at the falls. It was a gorgeous day, there was no snow left in these parts and it's an easy hike that should invite plenty of visitors.
We got back to the parking lot after covering about 8.5 miles in three hours. For me, it was a great day _ made even better by stopping by Mountain Wanderer and having a lovely conversation with Steve Smith. Thanks, Steve!
Pix are
Here
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