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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Middle Osceola, West Osceola, Mt. Osceola, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Osceola Trail, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 29, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: We were first in the lot at 5:30am. When we came down at 12:45, the lot was overflowing and cars were parked up and down Tripoli Road. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: We saw over a dozen (maybe two dozen) dogs today. Each one was either on a leash or off-leash but extremely well-behaved -- all the owners were great. 
Bugs
Bugs: Tons of everything once the sun came out in force. We were too tired to care. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This was our first weekend hike on a popular 4K trail in a long, long time. We started early to beat the heat and the crowds. We had some family squabbles on the way up, but then we turned onto the herd path (to the left of the last switchback on the way up, a tenth or two tenths of a mile from the summit) and concentrated on route- finding instead of bickering. By the time we got to Middle Osceola, everyone was happy again.

From the Mt. Osceola Trail to Middle Osceola, follow obvious herd path (there will be old wire along parts of the way) until it ends in a jumble of blowdowns. Find your way to the right of the blowdowns, then 'whack your way along the ridge, keeping close (when you're able) to the left (western) side of the ridge. There will be old herd paths that appear here and there, but sometimes you'll need to climb over/under/through thick trees and branches. On the way to Middle, there were two short scrambles - one which begins in front of an overturned and uprooted tree, and another that's basically a medium-sized boulder.

From Middle, there is an old herd path leading toward West. We followed it as it appeared and reappeared through and around dense clusters of branches. All three of us got fairly scratched up - my shirt was torn in multiple places and we all lost some blood. Luckily, my kids thought this was great fun. We always kept close to the western portion of the ridge...the last bit leads you straight up a more obvious herd path which leads directly to Peggy's Perch. We climbed up, then followed the obvious herd path a short distance to the summit (which had a canister we could not open).

After we returned to the Mt. Osceola Trail (scratched and bloody),the girls wanted to see if we could still be first on Osceola's main summit. We sprang up the couple tenths of a mile and found Marty and three other men (whose names I can't recall - my apologies!!). It was nice to see Marty again and to exchange pleasantries with the fellas. The girls and I hung out for a while on the ledges, then we headed down.

The parade of hikers and dogs began as we descended. Couples and groups every five minutes. It was nice, though. I usually do my best to avoid the weekend crowds, but today felt quite lovely and social. Everyone was happy and all the dogs were having a blast. The girls felt great and were proud of their bushwhack bruises and blood.

There will be a trip report on my blog either late tonight or late Tuesday evening.  
Name
Name: TrishAlexSageMax 
E-Mail
E-Mail: patriciaellisherr@post.harvard.edu 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-06-29 
Link
Link: https://www.trishalexsage.com 
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.

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