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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks East Osceola, NH
Trails
Trails: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 14, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Only 4 or 5 roadside spots at the trail head but plow berms are moving back so more soon. Parked on Kanc 1/5 mile north of trail head where shoulder was wider.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction, Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: 3 or four small streams/brooks on GPT that are no longer bridged but are just step overs or one rock in the middle. The rest are still bridged. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The typical leaners and blowdowns but nothing significant. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: None - no snow fleas yet 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Got a late start and arrived at trail head at 11:45, on the trail at noon. Light coating (1") of soft wet/heavy snow but firm under that. Spikes got us halfway up on Mt. Osceola Trail, but the steep part got too slick for spikes, even ascending. At that point the high sun combined with a dozen or so hikers had chewed up the rain soaked snow from Friday into loose/frozen granular deep enough to prevent spikes from engaging the firm snow pack beneath. Switched to crampons and all was good. All of the early folks descending only had spikes and didn't seem too happy about it. Conditions must have been much firmer and less slick when they were ascending before temps rose and the sun got higher. Real windy on the ridge. While wandering around off trail on the summit Pumbaa's right leg went into a spruce trap up to her hip while her left foot didn't penetrate the crust, bending the titanium knee joint in her left leg further than it usually does. I was able to extract her quickly and thankfully nothing serious but a few tense moments until we knew she was OK. We usually start early so being the sweepers (last ones down) is unusual for us - glad we didn't need any assistance. Descending in crampons was the only way to go - it's doable in spikes with strong legs/joints but still dicey in the few spots with some exposure. 1/4 mile from the Kanc there was a brook crossing where Pumbaa's sore knee caught up with her - trying to step up with the sore knee onto the other side of the brook and the knee locked up and down she went - SPLASH! - luckily landing on her pack. The pack wedged between rocks and she was stuck with the icy water rushing over her. I was able to quickly hoist her up and out of trouble but she was soaked. Thankfully just her pride was bruised, and the soggy walk out was quick. All in all a good day getting high in the Sandwich range.  
Name
Name: notch and pumbaa 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bowmore17 at gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-03-15 
Link
Link: https:// 
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