| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Osceola, Mt. Osceola, South Hancock, North Hancock, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail, Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 25, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the westbound pulloff between the two trailheads. Greeley Ponds lot was almost full by 9am. The entrance to the lot is pretty rough, cars would bottom out. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were easy today. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any on the Osceolas though hiking dogs would probably be fine and would have no issue avoiding the ice on the steeps. Saw a few on the Hancocks having a good time. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Greeley Ponds Trail had only a couple small patches of ice. Then mixed bare ground and short stretches of snow/ice starting around 3k ft. increasing as you climb. After the lookout below the ledge the snow/ice becomes consistent and unavoidable. I used well used Hillsounds up and down. Between the peaks had some bare rock. I took the bypass, but chimney was dry.
Hancock Notch Trail was bare at the start then a thin ice monorail starting maybe a half mile in. Cedar Brook Trail was mostly bare. Snow/ice is consistent Hancock Loop Trail nearing the junction. I polled about two dozen people asking which direction they took, most said counter clockwise, and most of those who went up North first said they should not have. Going up South is still consistent ice. It was soft enough for spikes going up, but was getting a layer of grease by mid day. Between the peaks was mostly monorail, at times a tight rope, but always stable. Going down North was mostly ice-free. |
|
 | Name: |
Kyle L |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-04-25 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/18258054288 |
|
|
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. |
|
