montvm
New member
Date(s) Hiked:01-04-07
Trails(s) Hiked:Greely Ponds Trail and Osceola Trail
Total Distance: 7.6 Miles, 3100/ft of elevation gain
Difficulty:Greely Pond Trail=Easy, Osceola Trail, Steep and Strenous, Crossing the slide wasn't too bad, the Chimney detour was very Sketchy but manageable.
Conditions:4-6 inchs of crusty snow, packed down...
Special Required Equipment:Crampons, Ice axe if going up Chimney
Trip Report: We started off at 7:30am, approx 28 degrees. Greely Pond trail was very easy, and took 1/2 hour to get to the trail Junction of Greely Ponds trail and Osceola Trail. Osceola Trail started off moderate, and before hitting the cliffs of Osceola's North Spur. At, this point Matt and I stopped to put on our crampons. From the Trail Junction to the summit of East Peak it took us 4 hours. Both of us are in ok shape, but not great shape. Once we got to the slide, we had some incredible views. The slide was really cool to cross. I personally found the upper Osceola Trail, after the slide extremely steep. Once we crested the ridge, there is an out look to the left into the notch where you get a great view of Washington, upper Osceola, and endless views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. As we approached the top of the ridge we could hear the wind howl. It was un-believable windy on this side of the ridge and all along the ridge to the East Peak and until you start descending between East summit and Osceola summit. We descended to the Chimney, and took the detour. Even if you had an Ice axe, there was a frozen water fall over the chimney that looked like it would have sprung if you tried to climb it. We chose the detour and this was pretty sketchy. It was much easier ascending than descending. Once over the Chimney, the trail ascends rather steeply to the summit. At one point I stopped to rest, turned around and had an awesome view of Mt. Washington. The summit of Osceola was calm and sunny. It was an awesome trip, one of the most difficult hikes I have done. It took us 8-1/2 hours, but was well worth it and I will certainly go back again.
Trail Head
View of cliffs of Osceola's North Spur from the Slide
First view of Mt. Washington from outlook on the ridge before East Peak
Another view from outlook
View of Osceola Summit from outlook
Summit of East Peak!
Washington from upper Osceola Trail 5 minutes from the summit...
Summit of Osceola with Washington in background
Melting Rime Ice
View of the Chimney from the Summit
Trails(s) Hiked:Greely Ponds Trail and Osceola Trail
Total Distance: 7.6 Miles, 3100/ft of elevation gain
Difficulty:Greely Pond Trail=Easy, Osceola Trail, Steep and Strenous, Crossing the slide wasn't too bad, the Chimney detour was very Sketchy but manageable.
Conditions:4-6 inchs of crusty snow, packed down...
Special Required Equipment:Crampons, Ice axe if going up Chimney
Trip Report: We started off at 7:30am, approx 28 degrees. Greely Pond trail was very easy, and took 1/2 hour to get to the trail Junction of Greely Ponds trail and Osceola Trail. Osceola Trail started off moderate, and before hitting the cliffs of Osceola's North Spur. At, this point Matt and I stopped to put on our crampons. From the Trail Junction to the summit of East Peak it took us 4 hours. Both of us are in ok shape, but not great shape. Once we got to the slide, we had some incredible views. The slide was really cool to cross. I personally found the upper Osceola Trail, after the slide extremely steep. Once we crested the ridge, there is an out look to the left into the notch where you get a great view of Washington, upper Osceola, and endless views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. As we approached the top of the ridge we could hear the wind howl. It was un-believable windy on this side of the ridge and all along the ridge to the East Peak and until you start descending between East summit and Osceola summit. We descended to the Chimney, and took the detour. Even if you had an Ice axe, there was a frozen water fall over the chimney that looked like it would have sprung if you tried to climb it. We chose the detour and this was pretty sketchy. It was much easier ascending than descending. Once over the Chimney, the trail ascends rather steeply to the summit. At one point I stopped to rest, turned around and had an awesome view of Mt. Washington. The summit of Osceola was calm and sunny. It was an awesome trip, one of the most difficult hikes I have done. It took us 8-1/2 hours, but was well worth it and I will certainly go back again.
Trail Head
View of cliffs of Osceola's North Spur from the Slide
First view of Mt. Washington from outlook on the ridge before East Peak
Another view from outlook
View of Osceola Summit from outlook
Summit of East Peak!
Washington from upper Osceola Trail 5 minutes from the summit...
Summit of Osceola with Washington in background
Melting Rime Ice
View of the Chimney from the Summit
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