Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Osceola, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhacks, Mt. Osceola Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Adequate at start and stop of our hike at Mt Osceola TH on Tripoli, Same for Mt Tecumseh TH further down the road |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
easy |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Too many rocks |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Take the bear alert sign seriously |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was a second attempt to find/follow the abandoned Breadtray Basin trail to Osceola, AKA the phone line.
Liam C and I took the herd path at the stream crossing below Mt Tecumseh TH to the once was log landing on the Woodstock/Thornton Gore RR. From there we walked to the left of the fall line and soon found the lumber road/phone line. That part went much better this try than my first. We followed the lumber road up into the basin without issue. There are some fine views and a pretty wetland here. As before there is where the trouble starts. The trail crossed the brook about 1 mile from the TH, according to my '46 guide. I defy anyone to find it. This time we crossed the brook and skirted the wetland to the South. Last time I skirted to the North and found the trail only by tripping over the wire lost in the dense brush. No such luck this time. We finally found the trail about a third of the way from the basin to the ridge. And then we lost it again almost immediately.
We were able to follow a logging road to the headwall of the basin. And then we found the phone wires again most of the way to the ridge/herdpath to middle and West. Last time I spent a lot of time, too much time, searching for the wires at every place where the track was not obvious. So last time was much more successful at finding/following the trail in this section.
Liam went to middle and West while I summited and waited for him. Fun to meet up with Wed. Group friends here. When Liam arrived after a short wait we walked 1/4 mile towards E. Osceola then tried to follow the non-existent (obscure in 1946!) side path to Split Cliff. I admit to undervaluing Split Cliff. Liam and I spent a very satisfying time on a perch at the top of the cliff. Impressive views to the North and West up the Pemi. Not for everyone, but if you are a seasoned 'whacker I urge you to explore it.
Once back on the trail I walked down the Mt Osceola trail to Tripoli road while Liam OAB'd the E. peak and blew by me long before I got to the TH. A fine time was had by All, truly a fun day. Some of us know how to make an easy day hard. |
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 | Name: |
old man and the saw |
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 | E-Mail: |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2021-08-25 |
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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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