Also on this trip

Trails Used

Mt Osceola Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Got a great view (and some video) of the Coast Guard doing some mountain SAR training. They hovered above the summit of Osceola for 30+ minutes while practicing lowering and raising people and the stretcher. These guys were terrific, although it did make the summit inaccessible for a while, and none too peaceful.

Parking

"Paved" road from Waterville to trailhead is horrible. Better choice to take Tripoli road from I-93. It's a couple of miles of good paved road and about 4 miles of decent dirt road. I was comfortable at 20-30 mph in a Mustang on the dirt. I think this is shorter in both time and distance, and it's much better for your car.

Water Crossings

No problems. All the crossings on this trail are pretty easy anyway.

Wildlife

Not bad in the cool morning, but worse as it warmed up. OK if you were moving.

Trails Used

Mount Osceola Trail, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trail is in great shape and the views were perfect. Bushwhack to Middle Osceola is well defined and pleasant. Didn't get to Peggy's Perch due to lack of time.

Parking

6 cars around 4pm. Only 2 at 8.

Water Crossings

All could be stepped over

Wildlife

They're starting to come out. No bites, but a few landed on me.

Trails Used

Osceola

Trail Conditions

Notes

Truly spectacular day! Views for miles. On my way up, was passed by about a dozen also heading up and about the same amount were descending. About 20 at the summit ledges. Trail in good shape. Not much mud. Some water on slabby areas, but grip was good.

Parking

Lot full at 10:30 AM. Able to get a spot on road nearby along with about 5 other cars.

Water Crossings

Easily crossed

Wildlife

Nearly none other than near my car and two that landed on me with less than a quarter mile left to go.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mount Osceola Trail, Tripoli Road, Mount Tecumseh Trail, Ski Trails, Livermore Trail, Mount Tripyramid Trail, Pine Bend Brook Trail, Scaur Ridge Trail, Livermore Trail, Old Skidder Trail, Bushwhack, Kancamagus Brook XC ski trail, Greeley Ponds Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

No traction needed anymore on any of these trails, minimal monorail in col between Osceola's. Only annoying ice is the first 0.25 miles leaving North Tripyramid summit heading down Pine Bend Brook Trail, ice can be picked around with care. Sloping ledge through the switch back descending Osceola had significant glaze ice this morning, expect this to be the norm most mornings until it stays above freezing and dries up. Other than that, trails are in the usual spring conditions for post snow; Mount Osceola Trail is eroded, rooty, rocky through the steeps. Mount Tecumseh Trail from Tripoli Road is a gem - cushy, quiet, and an abundance of Moose poop in the West Tecumseh / Tecumseh col. Ski trails were easy to hike, not too wet and the grass hasn't started to grow yet. Livermore Trail is in fine shape and dry. Mount Tripyramid Trail up South Slide is dry, final push up to South is eroded. Between the three peaks is in good shape. Scaur Ridge Trail is a joy to descend, very nice footing. Old Skidder Trail is short but a hidden gem with a semi-remote feeling to it. I bushwhacked down the abandoned Flume Brook Trail, it has quite a few deadfall blowdowns, a missing section where the trail disappeared into the brook, and an overgrown hobblebush section. Kancamagus Brook XC ski trail is mostly dry. Greeley Ponds Trail a little muddy around the ponds but overall good to go.

Parking

Slowly pull into the Greeley Ponds trailhead, there are a couple of nasty bumps that might uppercut low clarence vehicles

Water Crossings

Easy rock hops

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail, Tripoli Road, Mt. Tecumseh Trail, Sosman Trail, Ski Trails, Pipeline XC Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Fun loop on this drizzly Saturday. Just a dusting of fresh snow really. Not much ice and snow left at this point on the north side of the Osceola. But still enough that I saw several folks descending on my way up in spikes, but I raw dogged it. Between the peaks still has some elevated monorail. Was able to climb the chimney today, that was fun. South side of Osceola is in great shape, with the only snow towards the very top. A bit of a slick monorail for a few hundred feet. Running down Tripoli road this time of year with no cars or campers is bliss. Back side of Tecumseh was in pretty good shape. Some snow towards the top of the false summit, and then consistent on the final push approaching the true summit. Between the false summit and the peak is the most insane collection of moose poo I've ever seen. Literally covering the whole trail non-stop for 20' or so, and then two massive piles. Watch your step! Sosman trail had consistent snow over to the ski area. Ski trails have some avoidable snow which made for a fast descent. I carried spikes of course, but managed to never put them on.

Parking

Parked at Livermore

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Bare ground until a few remnant snow patches at 2600' but nothing semi-consistent until 3900'. But the monorail snow was either sticky enough and stable or avoidable on the edge of the monorail so I wore trail runners trailhead to trailhead. There are a few places where spikes could have been used but stepping carefully and slowly was easier than donning and doffing spikes every 100' as bare ground was as common as the snow. Water crossing was a pretty easy rock hop. The Chimney is clear of snow and ice but wet from last night's rain so I opted for the mostly dry Bypass up and down. Snow and rain in the forecast for the weekend so things have likely changed some in this season of variable and dynamic trail conditions.

Parking

5 cars there at 8 am and a few cars arrived after that. Surprisingly busy day.

Water Crossings

Easy rock hops

Wildlife

None, nada!

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail, Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Greeley Ponds Trail had only a couple small patches of ice. Then mixed bare ground and short stretches of snow/ice starting around 3k ft. increasing as you climb. After the lookout below the ledge the snow/ice becomes consistent and unavoidable. I used well used Hillsounds up and down. Between the peaks had some bare rock. I took the bypass, but chimney was dry. Hancock Notch Trail was bare at the start then a thin ice monorail starting maybe a half mile in. Cedar Brook Trail was mostly bare. Snow/ice is consistent Hancock Loop Trail nearing the junction. I polled about two dozen people asking which direction they took, most said counter clockwise, and most of those who went up North first said they should not have. Going up South is still consistent ice. It was soft enough for spikes going up, but was getting a layer of grease by mid day. Between the peaks was mostly monorail, at times a tight rope, but always stable. Going down North was mostly ice-free.

Parking

I parked at the westbound pulloff between the two trailheads. Greeley Ponds lot was almost full by 9am. The entrance to the lot is pretty rough, cars would bottom out.

Water Crossings

All crossings were easy today.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Pond Trail, Mt Osceola Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Bare ground and avoidable flat icy patches to the first water crossing. Bare, wet, dry until about 2,800’. Intermittent flattish icy monorail until about 3,000’ where it becomes consistent and varies in height. The steeps were icy - with a fair amount of rocks visible. Doable with good spikes in the morning but the surface was slick after noon so I opted for full crampons on the descent and they were not overkill. The ridge was about 90% varying heights of snow-coated icy monorail, 10% bare. Decent/quick footing to main peak and back with minimal balling on spikes. Chimney, bypass, and bypass to the bypass were bare. NOTE: please describe actual trail surface conditions when writing reports. Saying “barebooted xx%” prompts questions like “but >should< it have been booted and/or can/should others do the same?” Surface conditions are more helpful for selecting traction. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. :)

Parking

Bumpy entrance, low clearance vehicles take care.

Water Crossings

Easy rock hops even for my little legs.

Wildlife

None

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greely Pond Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail.

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Followed a fresh set of tracks up to East, he was just tagging East. There were no fresh tracks to Osceola, but there was a fresh coating of snow. I bare-booted up to East and then donned traction for the rest of the hike. The mono-rail was non-existant up high but become more prominent on the way over to O. The cold temps kept it hard and no issues with post-holing at any time.I took the winter bypass because of the pup, but the summer bypass was not icy.

Parking

Only one car upon arrival, two upon leaving

Water Crossings

No problems

Wildlife

too cold

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mount Osceola Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Wasn't sure based on recent reports on the conditions. Base of the Greeley Pond Tr was a combo of dry/minor muddy trail. Some icy patches that were easily walked around. I put rock spikes on about 0.5 mi after Greeley Pond Tr/Osceola Tr junction. I Kept them on until the same spot when descending. A lot of on/off snow and ice. Monorail was stable in some spots but crumbling in others. I brought full crampons just in case for the down climb, but micros were fine the entire time. Bring a set you don't really care about and you shouldn't have any issues.

Parking

N/A

Water Crossings

All able to be rock-hopped easily.

Wildlife

None.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Water levels were high across the Whites, so this was a good choice. Got a late start (around noon) as the weather was projected to improve throughout the day. There is some icy monorail for the first 1/4 mile which can be navigated by being monorail adjacent. Once you get past the Greely Ponds XC trail, it becomes a Tour de Wrong Traction Choices. Sections of ice/crumbling monorail, followed by sections of bare rock. I went microspikes on/off more on this hike than any hike I've ever done...there are still sections of ice where there aren't enough rocks exposed to not have to step on the ice. I think ultimately the best choice is to apologize to your microspikes and just keep them on for the bare rock sections as there is a snowy/icy section just around the corner. Went up the Chimney and down the 1st bypass without trouble, both are ice free.

Parking

No problem getting into the Greely Pond TH parking lot, although the pavement is a bit bumpy.

Water Crossings

IMO, none of the crossings on this route are challenging...today I had to step on a submerged rock and get ankle deep wet, which is just Spring hiking to me. Driving by the Pemi it was pretty high. The only crossings are about 1/2 mile from the TH. There are 2 types of hikers, those who have dry feet and those who hike in April...

Wildlife

There were actually non-biting flies out there today.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Pond, Mt Osceola

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

The Osceolas love putting me on my butt, so take everything after this will that warning. Down low is a mix of avoidable mud and a monorail that is easy to walk on and mostly solid. The climb up Mt Osceola is a mix of crunchy ice and hard ice, but it's all covered with wet, sticky snow. Going up isn't bad. Going down is. The ridge has a firm monorail that is a few feet high in places, but overall in good condition. Coming down the steep section is very, very difficult. It switches from slick ice to crunchy ice frequently, and it's all covered with spring snow. Even with sharp spikes this meant butt sledding whether you want to or not. Sometimes you go feet first. Sometimes head first. And if you're really lucky, a pole splits your legs as you slip, and you go bollocks first, get spun around and continue a few more feet on your back head first. That's all to say, the descent is very, very slippery right now. Everything else is better than expected for April conditions - firm and somewhat fast. Fun note - a rescue chopper flew over me a couple of times and hovered briefly once. Hoping that was them having fun on a training mission.

Parking

Lot is in decent condition. Only two cars today.

Water Crossings

Surprisingly low and easily crossed. Crocs went for a ride.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Birthday hike. Poles also used. Avoided The Chimney route.

Trails Used

East Osceola and Mt Osceola

Trail Conditions

Equipment

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

Equipment

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.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

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