Mount Osceola

[LongStep]

Trail(s) Hiked: Mount Osceola trail off tripoli road

Date Hiked: 8/19/2007

Distance Hiked: 6 miles aprox

Special Equipment Required: None

Report: Woke up in the am and looked up at the sky and saw massive gray clouds rolling through. Slightly better than the day before with hurricane force gust blowing us hardy campers around all day. Figured a nice somewhat local hike would be in order and drove off to tripoli road. Got to the somewhat packed trail head for Mt Osceola, put on our hiking boots got our packs and started the ascend. It was pretty easy grades from what I saw, never really being steep at any points. There were a few sideways rock slabs that were slightly tricky to navigate but we all made pretty good work of them. The switchbacks are nice allowing for gentle grades all the way up this mountain. Came to the top and was happy i packed my athletic pants because it was pretty damn cold up top. We ate our lunch and the two other hikers went off for some views while i enjoyed the nice ledges and the great views on this overcast day. Spent about a half hour up top, mainly because the other two were cold and descended down the same trail we came up. (I had wanted to do the Osceola east peak but weather and the fact that the other two were already tired made me decide to hike this trail again.) The descend wasn't that bad one of the gals i was hiking with had a bad knee so we took our time and had few issues. Made it down and had a victory beer a the trail head. I think this trail was easier then pierce via Crawford path due to the switch backs which made for nice gentle inclines. This was my 3rd 4000 footer and im looking forward to some more.

 

[threecy]

It's amazing how hiking has felt fall like lately! In my opnion, Osceola from Tripoli might be the easiest 4,000 footer in NH.

 

[MarcHowes]

It's amazing how hiking has felt fall like lately! In my opnion, Osceola from Tripoli might be the easiest 4,000 footer in NH.

..And out of curiosity how many of the 48 have you actually done? or for that matter, redlined?

:argue:

Its easy, but its no Tecumseh from Tripoli rd. When people say Tecumseh is the easiest 4k in the Whites they are talking about that route. :-o

 

[David Metsky]

And Hale from the Zealand Road.

But the trailhead for the Osceolas is the second highest in the Whites, so it's not hard to see that you save a huge amount of elevation.

 

[LongStep]

And Hale from the Zealand Road.

But the trailhead for the Osceolas is the second highest in the Whites, so it's not hard to see that you save a huge amount of elevation.

So considering I have only hiked 3 of the 48, does hiking this trail off of tripoli road not constitute climbing a 4k mountain in the eyes of the commitee that recognizes the 48 4k club? I would hate to hike from trails that wouldn't count when all is said and done.

 

[threecy]

And Hale from the Zealand Road.

But the trailhead for the Osceolas is the second highest in the Whites, so it's not hard to see that you save a huge amount of elevation.

Though Hale isn't quite as long via Hale Brook Trail, I feel that it has longer sections of steeper terrain than Osceola via the Osceola Trail (which has a lot of switchbacks built into it). Just my opnion though, which could be biased based upon the shape I was in when I hiked each.

 

[MarcHowes]

So considering I have only hiked 3 of the 48, does hiking this trail off of tripoli road not constitute climbing a 4k mountain in the eyes of the commitee that recognizes the 48 4k club? I would hate to hike from trails that wouldn't count when all is said and done.

You hiked it fair and square.

Just don't ride a bike along a trail (IE Livermore rd), take a cog railway or take a tram/ski lift and you'll be fine!!!!!!! You can still ride a bike between trail heads tho (for traverses). If you ahve any questions about "ethical behavior" while doing the 48 (ie: does this count as cheating) just ask. Plenty of people here can give you an answer

PS: How many 48s have you done Threecy? Really, you seem to fancy yourself as someone who knowledgable in the subject, so I am curious, is your ROT list correct in suggesting you haven't even done half (including not having done several easy ones)? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Mike P.]

Play nice guys,

I'll have to say that IMO, Osceola may be one of the easiest, with Pierce, Hale, Jackson & Tom being close. Depending on how you feel (shape, good night's sleep, hungover, or other), the weather & who you are with may impact whether one is easier than another.

I'll disagree on the Tecumseh trip from Tripoli road though. It's a nice descent but the trailhead is a few hundred feet lower than Osceola's & you climb West Tecumseh & then descend into the 100-199 foot col (West Tecumseh used to be on the NE 100 list before the col was found to be inadequate) before ascending the fairly steep summit. IMO it's easier from Waterville Valley, a bit tedious & rocky but not hard.

Nice TR BTW, thanks!

 

[David Metsky]

I would hate to hike from trails that wouldn't count when all is said and done.

As long as you hike from a trailhead, you're OK. And a trailhead is anywhere you can legally drive to in a passenger car or truck. If you bike something that you are allowed to drive but choose not to, that's fine. If you drive up a road that is gated but would be easy to drive (like the Livermore Road) that is not OK. Skis are always OK.

The only exception is the Mt Washington Auto Road.