Trails: Greeley Ponds and Mt. Osceola
Total Distance: 7.6 miles Vertical Gain: 3100'
We're baa-aack! First hike of the summer season. Thomas and I had a great winter sliding on snow.
I finished my season w/ 2 laps in Tuckerman Ravine on Memorial Monday. OK, back to the hike.
We enjoy hiking with friends, and we had another one join us today. Welcome, Chris Roark. Chris is a winter sliding and touring partner, and was looking to get out with us for some exercise.
We were hiking by 7:30 am. The first 1.3 miles went quickly. We junctioned with the Mt. Osceola trail within half an hour.
This is where things get interesting. Not far in, we traverse under and by the NE ridge and cliffs of East Osceola.
Once by the cliffs, the trail starts gaining some serious elevation.
A few spots, like this, looked affected by Irene when she blew through in August 2011.
As we gain the ridge, here come the views East and North.
You can see North Greeley Pond in this pic.
In just a bit, we get to the other side of the ridge. This is our 2nd goal today, Mt. Osceola.
Looking West past its summit.
Hmmmm. Good spot for portraits. Chris is "The Thinker".
Our first objective, East Osceola, looms close.
Both peaks together. Our day in a nutshell.
Finally on top of #32, East Osceola.
After a quick snack, it's time to descend for a bit. It's 1 mile between peaks. After getting to the saddle between them, our 2nd ascent starts with a fun little climb called the Chimney. This scramble is roughly 40'-50' of vertical rock climbing in 2 sections. You can't see the top section from the bottom. Chris and Thomas showing how it's done.
Above the Chimney, looking back at East Osceola.
And farther up the trail, again looking back at our first peak.
Breaking through the trees, we can tell no more horizon above us. #2 for the day, Mt. Osceola.
Osceola has remnants of 2 firetowers on its open, rocky summit. Visiting the older tower site.
Thought this rock might be a high spot.
Along with the tower locations, there are 2 U.S. Geological Survey disks. We covered all the bases and explored all the little trails and woods that are all over the summit. Never found a summit cairn. Done searching, we focus our attention to viewing, which is a big reason why we do this.
Time for lunch. Table with a view, please.
Our de-facto summit shot. Happy, happy, happy!!! Or Larry, Moe, and Curly.
A pic looking South to the slopes of Waterville Valley, and Mt. Tecumseh. We'll be doing that soon!
We spend probably close to an hour on top enjoying the day. Time to head back.
When we got to the Chimney, there was a slightly easier way down to the hikers' left. We had to crabwalk and buttslide. Better than the alternative, down-climbing the Chimney. A couple more pics of it.
A good shot of the rock and cliffs of Mt. Osceola.
More good views going across and down. A few did not present themselves going the other way.
Saw quite a few of these guys today on the trail.
After a knee-pounding descent of the NE ridge of East Osceola, we get back to the Greeley Ponds trail. 1.3 easy miles left.
There's always examples of great trail maintenance throughout the White Mtns. A couple of the many sections of bog bridges to help with erosion and mud.
Everyone's smiling back at the car. Time for food and hydration. :-)
Just a mile or so from the trailhead on the Kancamagus Highway, our day was in full view before us. East Osceola on the left, Mt. Osceola center. Very happy to have just hiked those!!
Total hike time today was around 6 hours. Add in our breaks. The crux of the day was definitely going up the 800'-900' of steep vertical on the cliffed shoulder of East Osceola's NE ridge. A stairmaster workout.
Thanks to Chris for joining us. We enjoyed having you. We've done some hiking together, but this was the first 4Ker together. Hopefully you'll join us again.
I'm getting tired of saying how good a hiker I think Thomas is. I still see the 11 or 12 year old boy who started this endeavor. Not the young adult who stands before me and stares me straight in the eye. Forgive me.
Drumroll, please........... 33 down. 15 to go! Woo-Hoo!!!!!
Hopefully I will be writing another trip report sooner than later.
'Til next time...................
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