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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks East Osceola, Mt. Osceola, Upper Greeley Pond, NH
Trails
Trails: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, January 1, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The Greeley Ponds Trail trailhead on Route 112 (the Kanc) is plowed and sanded. There is room for perhaps 6-7 cars in the lot, and a bit of room (for two cars?) on the shoulder of Route 112 just north of the lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All water crossings are either open, or partially frozen over. All have dry, exposed rock and low water levels. The only two crossings that might be an issue were the two branches of South Fork -- with care, they can be crossed without much issue, using short stretches of firm ice and exposed, dry rocks. Some folks have opted to bushwhack just a bit upstream where there are a few more exposed dry rocks. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Three blowdowns on the trail (none a concern), varying in diameter from about six to eight inches. One step-over and one duck-under on the Greeley Ponds Trail north of its intersection with the Mt. Osceola Trail, and one duck-under on the Mt. Osceola Trail in the col between the two peaks. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Trails are in good shape, and relatively fast-moving because of them being packed granular snow/ice most of the way. Down low there are a few places where the recent thaw/rains blew out the packed trail, but these are easily negotiated. On steep sections of the Mt. Osceola Trail north of East Osceola, steps (modified postholes) have been worn into the trail, so traction/footing is good.

Light traction was fine for all of this on the ascent.

However, by late day, on some of the steeper sections of the trail right above the slide, heavy usage and glissading had worn some steps smooth. Coupled with another dusting of light snow during the afternoon, traction more aggressive than light traction was very helpful for the descent.

The chimney section of the trail is a blue ice sculpture. The chimney by-pass is fine ascending with light traction, but required care going down because of polishing/wear from usage. The by-pass has its own by-pass, and this was the preferred descent route for some.

Lovely conditions today -- some sun, some clouds, some views.

Upper Greeley Pond has a beautiful veneer of ice on it. Half of the people we saw today (a good portion of those using the parking lot) were visiting the ponds, and not headed up the peaks.  
Name
Name: Pancks and Tesco Heaney 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-01-02 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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