| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Osceola, East Osceola, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Tripoli Road, Mt. Osceola Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked off Tripoli Road near Waterville Valley gate. Made sure to avoid blocking any roadway. Could have parked at Livermore just down the road. Some of the pavement on Tripoli Road is deteriorating however it should be passable for all vehicles. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water crossings easy on rocks as brooks are small. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail generally in good condition. I sawed 3 or 4 trees blocking the path. There are still trees requiring removal but I ran out of time. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Should be fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
Very few. Mostly some sort of beetle. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Walked about 2 1/2 miles of Tripoli Road to trailhead. Road was clear of snow except for a minor amount by edge of road near Thornton Gap. There was no snow at the lower elevations of the Mt Osceola Trail as it had a southern exposure. Somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000 feet the frequency of the snow cover increased. But even at this elevation there was frequently bare ground and rocks. The large rock at the northern outlook was bare as was the large ledge area of the southern outlook at the Mt Osceola summit. There is generally more snow on the trail between Mt Osceola and East Osceola. The steep rocky area heading off Mt Osceola was bare rock as was the chimney section further downhill. There was water running down the chimney so I opted for the dry bypass. Much of the slope up East Osceola had snow. There were sections of the trail where there was a three to for foot snow embankment on the south side of the trail with bare ground or a thin snow cover on the northern side of the trail.
One could manage the hike in bare boots if careful however some light traction in the frozen slush sections and snowshoes in the snowier trail portions made the going easier.
Met only one other hiker who had walked up from Waterville Valley where he works.
Great views from various spots including the north outlook by the old fire tower pylons prior to reaching the south ledges on Mt Osceola.
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-05-07 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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