Also on this trip
Trails Used
Greeley Ponds
Trail Conditions
Snow - Packed PowderIce - Black
Equipment
Microspikes
Notes
Birthday hike. Poles also used. Avoided The Chimney route.
Photos
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Trail Reports(4)
Trails Used
East Osceola and Mt Osceola
Trail Conditions
Wet TrailSnow - Packed Powder/Loose GranularIce - Breakable CrustSnow/Ice - Frozen GranularMud - Minor/Avoidable
Equipment
Microspikes
Notes
Spikes car to both peaks all the way back to East Peak then BD Crampons down to the Greeley Pond Trail. Then bareboots out to the trailhead. Greeley Pond is a mix of snow, ice, bare ground, mud, semi exposed bog logs. The snow is more consistent on the Mt Osceola Trail but still a mix of snow ,ice and a few exposed rocks. On the ridge between the peaks the snow is deep enough for snowshoes but too rough, uneven, postholed, and narrow for SS. I dropped mine at the East peak and picked them up on the way out. Not worth carrying them IMO unless something changes. There's a little snow and ice left in the Chimney so I used the Bypass up and down which was dry low with ice on the upper section. I was happy to have my full crampons for the descent although the ice softened in the afternoon so sharp spikes (definitely NOT rock spikes) would probably be ok. But full crampons was the best choice!
Parking
Lot is icy with some remnant snow and ice piles at the entrance but I was easily able to drive in with a small AWD SUV. But immediately put my spikes on as it was really slick ice in the morning.
Water Crossings
The one main water crossing was rock hopable but with a few inches of boot submersion. Multiple other drainages running at springtime spirited levels but easily hopped over.
Wildlife
1 lone scout in the warm afternoon.
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Greeley Pond Trail, Osceolas
Trail Conditions
Snow - Packed Powder
Equipment
Snowshoes
Notes
Hiked from Greeley Pond on Wednesday afternoon. Few bare spots on Greeley Pond trail but good snowshoe conditions overall. Good views, no other hikers encountered.
Photos
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Also on this trip
Trails Used
Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail
Trail Conditions
Ice - BlueSnow - Unpacked Powder
Equipment
Snowshoes
Notes
I think we all know that hiking partners can make or break a hike and I am ridiculously fortunate to hike the best folks. We walked the road to the trailhead and immediately donned snowshoes. There were faint boot tracks which must have occurred prior to the past 2 storms. The snow depth increased as we ascended and we had to watch for postholes hidden by the snow. The steeps were a challenge. The snow depth was about 6 inches or so and it hid the ice well. We found all of it for you. Snowshoes did well for traction as long as we found a base of packed snow or softer ice. It was slow going as we looked for the safe spots for our feet and we contemplated our options for descending while we were still going up while conditions were fresh in our minds. The stretch between the 2 peaks had quite a bit more snow and still had hidden postholes. We found all those too. Thanks to Luke for joining me on this one and fueling us with gummy worms and PB balls and for the most excellent company on what could have been a slog of epic proportions but instead was... The. Best. Day. Ever.
Parking
Welllllllll. Neither of us could get into the regular lot as the snow was too deep. We checked out the pull off but it had not been plowed and we were worried we would get towed if they decided to plow it while we were hiking (it was still not plowed when we finished). So, we parked at the Hancock Notch trailhead and walked the road.
Water Crossings
The crossings were open but we crossed with care.
Wildlife
Still in Hell