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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Osceola, Middle Osceola, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Osceola Trail, herd path, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, August 8, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Lot was pretty much full mid afternoon and early this evening. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Barely a trickle. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Double leaner not too far from the trailhead and a small duck under maybe a mile up. Both could be taken out by hand saw (wasn't carrying one this afternoon). A few waterbars filled up from recent heavy rains. Lots of surveyors tape out, suggesting future work to be done. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Probably a good idea to bring water for the pooches. 
Bugs
Bugs: Minimal 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Trail was generally dry with some areas of wet ledge.
For Middle Osceola, I followed the abandoned trail (descends toward Middle Osceola from the top switchback on the Mt. Osceola Trail, about 4,200 feet in elevation). The abandoned trail is pretty easy to follow down to the col, about 0.2 miles. Old communications wire presents a tripping hazard if not careful. Once roughly in the col, the old trail starts to drop down diagonally, while some herd paths head to the right, initially in the col, then upward. In places there are two unique herd paths about 50 feet apart, but neither are prominent trails. Some views through the trees along the way and two quasi scrambles (the first is a legitimate short scramble, but if you cut to your right, there's a way around it). The highpoint to me seemed to be on the western side of the top contour, but I didn't find any canister or sign. Less than 100 feet to the west of this (short bushwhack), there is a fantastic view from a cliff, ranging from the Franconia Ridge to West Osceola to Tecumseh to Sandwich Dome. I believe there also may be a view not too far down the eastern shoulder (from what I could see from the Dogleg Slide a few weeks ago), but I didn't research it enough ahead of time. Overall, the distance from the Mt. Osceola Trail to the summit of Middle Osceola was just under 0.4 miles.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-08-08 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
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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