| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Osceola, Mt. Osceola, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Space for two 4x4s in the trailhead lot- not sure you're going to make it in there without snow-tires or 4x4 though. I parked at the pullout .2 miles uphill of the trailhead |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings are solidly bridged. One has an option of a bridge or a one-hop. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blow-downs, but all either easily step-over-able or duck-under-able. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Spotted two snow spiders |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A wool hat and a single rubber traction device were left at the trailhead (not there when I went up, but were there when I came down), they are on top of the information kiosk. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Had the mountain basically to myself today- one other snowshoer (nice to meet you Bob H.!!!) and a couple who split off to climb the East Osceola cliffs. There was about an inch or so of fresh snow on top of the trail (new snow's pretty dry and light). I took microspikes and snowshoes and barebooted until the Osceola trail crossing. there I put on MicroSpikes and started up the steep section. Between the 1" of fresh snow, and the steepness, I found myself wishing I'd brought crampons and a piolet- while the microspikes worked alright, I think crampons and the ability to low- or high- dagger up would have made the trip quite a bit easier on me. It took quite a bit of effort and time to get up to East Osceola, but the wind on top was non-existent.
There were, however, some deeper drifts between East Osceola and Osceola that made me quite glad I'd brought the snowshoes. Most of them are pretty manageable, only going up to about knee height, but they'll definitely add some effort to the excursion. The bypass of the chimney is pretty solid, some branches and trees that you have to duck under and scoot around, but the footing is solid.
Descending down the East Osceola trail was difficult, as between the butt sliding and the fresh snow, foot placement took quite a bit of concentration. Take caution going down!
I think I was the only person who made it up to the ridge today (as of 4PM), so the drifts up there, and the soft covering on the steeper sections will likely be present tomorrow as well. |
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 | Name: |
Scubahiker |
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 | E-Mail: |
scubahiker@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-01-27 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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