| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Osceola, East Osceola, Middle Osceola, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mount Osceola trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 27, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The lot was full when we arrived ~7:50, so parked a little ways up Tripoli Rd. It got pretty busy, so as we left, we saw the car line had grown. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There were a few tiny streams to hop across, so there is water around, but nothing huge. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some hikers were clearing away a fallen tree as we hiked down. Thank you!! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few pooches out and around and doing well with the trail. As mentioned, there was some water around, but less between peaks. |
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 | Bugs: |
They are around... Mostly saw an assortment of flies. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Just an FYI for anyone using the AMC guide, it claims 2.9 miles to Osceola from the parking lot. The sign there says 3.2 mi. I didn't have a way to measure to confirm one or the other, but I'm throwing it out there. What's 0.6 mi. extra? Perhaps nothing, but it might make a difference for some folks who are on a tight time line.
It was a gorgeous Saturday, so this trail was busy busy busy! We saw a range of hikers, from a family with two girls ages 5~8 to a woman working on her 48 over 75. There is mud, but it's manageable by using the rocks and logs strategically placed in it. The trail was as I remembered: quite rocky, but that passes after awhile. The awesome view at the top was also as I remembered: not disappointing! The chimney was fun, especially coming up. Many were using the bypass, and the decision is personal, but I found going down it wasn't bad. It was a bit wet, but you were able to find dry spots for climbing.
After getting the two main summits down and seeing that we were feeling fine, my son and I decided to try out Middle Osceola (him for his bagging-all-of-the-mountains feat, and me for the TW72). The herd path off of Mt Osceola trail is actually quite easy to find and to follow, but it is a herd path. We got some good scrapes on our arms and legs as we made our way through some denser growth and the muddy spots didn't have the strategic rocks, etc. for getting across. The summit itself didn't have views, but on the way there's a larger rock from which you get a nice view of Tecumseh. I'll have to head back there at some point to bag West Osceola. It seemed like off the summit of Middle the path was still easy to follow, but we'll see how it continues next time! |
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 | Name: |
OfTheWoods |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-06-28 |
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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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