NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks East Osceola, Mt. Osceola, NH
Trails
Trails: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail, Greeley Ponds XC Ski Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 17, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: There were no parking issues.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The crossing about 1/4 of a mile from the parking lot was nearly impassable. The water was thigh deep and flowing pretty fast. There were no easier places to cross either upstream or downstream so we decided to give it a try right at the trail crossing - it was the widest and least turbulent section. All five of us made it across with the use of trekking poles. Not knowing when the worst would be (later found out we crossed at pretty much the heaviest flow) we decided to avoid the crossing on the way back and instead came out using the Greeley Ponds XC Ski Trail since it doesn't cross the river. The rest of the crossings were pretty simple in comparison.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There are two pretty good sized blowdowns along the Greeley Ponds Trail - too big for the small saw I carry.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Didn't have a dog with us but unless they were carried they were not crossing the river. The rest of the route was pretty much dog friendly.  
Bugs
Bugs: Ate my first bug of the season.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Lost a pair of Merrill slip ons just after the river crossing. Used them to cross so could keep boots dry and then when I changed shoes I must have left them there, and since we didn't come back the same way didn't realize that I didn't have them until we got back to the lot.  
 
Comments
Comments: We had planned to hike Carrigain and Vose Spur today but the weather forecast (heavy rain overnight through the morning) made us rethink our plans to bushwhack in the muck and the mire. Instead we decided to start later in the day and head to the Osceolas instead. This turned out to be a perfect plan as we had warm weather and blue skies most of the day.

Having never gone this way in spring I wasn't sure what to expect at the river crossing - especially considering the heavy rains that had fallen in the area overnight and in the morning. Everyone brought a pair of shoes that they could use to cross the river so their boots would stay dry. This proved necessary since the water crossing was thigh deep and flowing at a pretty good speed. There were no rocks to hop or trees to tightrope so we did it the old fashioned way - hang your boots from your pack and walk into and across the river.

The crossing was the most exciting part of the day. Once across, there were wet and muddy trails with little ice or monorail until about 4,000 feet. After that it was limited to the very center of what used to be the winter trail. Some in the group made use of their microspikes but others bare booted the whole day. Some sections of the trail were bone dry while others seemed like a river bed.

On the way back we decided to skip the crossing so we used the XC Ski Trail that is at the junction of the Greeley Ponds Trail and the Mt Osceola Trail. While it's not a hiking trail we figured this is more the rule for winter so as to not wreck the trail for skiers. It was a very nice walk out - a few wet spots but lots of dry trail. It dumps you out on Route 112 about 1/4 from the parking lot - so a short road walk is required.  
Name
Name: Michael & Monica 
E-Mail
E-Mail: akafuzzjones@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-05-17 
Link
Link: https://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/events/183487942 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved