| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Osceola, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, June 25, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
One other vehicle at 7AM. Overflowing early afternoon. Those parking "outside the lines" did so carefully as to allow easy exit. One Mini Cooper fit nicely between pavement and rocks at far end. Thanks to all those parking sensibly. |
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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: |
Major brook crossing near beginning of GP trail rock hopable, but some rocks have only a footprint size surface above the water and some very slippery. First time on this trail, so don't know what normal is. Weekend rain and morning showers may have impact on water height. All others bridged or easy hopable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One large blowdown around 3000' a little difficult to get over due to steep terrain. Several bog bridges have significant deterioration, but held up today. One of a pair bowed significantly under weight. Many were slippery due to wetness. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a couple climbing Osceola and several more on GP. Steep rocky Mt O trail might be challenging for some, but most of steeps have adequate pawholds, even though some are challenging for human sized paws. Recommend this not be the first hike for your pup (unless you stick to GP trail). Water on GP and a little water on lower Mt O, but none higher up. |
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 | Bugs: |
Only saw a few around wet spots on GP, just flying around and not landing or biting. Don't know if this was due to repellent or cloudy, cool, windy conditions. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found the trail with my butt on some of the loose footing areas of the steeps and some new doggy friends. Otherwise nada. |
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 | Comments: |
Greeley Ponds Trail rolling ascent with several wet and muddy spots, one significant water crossing near beginning and deteriorating bog bridges. Only 350 feet net elevation gain between trailhead and junction with Mt Osceola Trail 1.3 miles in. Some lady slippers and trillium in bloom along trail. Mt Osceola Trail very rocky with many very steep sections separated by a few very short moderate sections with smoother footing. Many wet rocks and roots. Don't know if this is typical of this trail or due to recent rains. Also some sections have loose rock or sand on surfaces, making steep terrain slippery even when not wet. A couple of areas require use of hands if you are old or have poor flexibility to reach higher footholds, but relatively easy. The steep rock face looks much more intimidating that it is as it has rough surface with many footholds, but have to choose your path carefully to ensure flatter spots for foot placement. Beware of loose rocks and sand on surface. I took a tumble coming down. A couple of the wet slanted slabs and rocks have a pathway along shoulder to avoid or a pathway using strategic landings if you look carefully. To put steepness in mathematical terms, this trail climbs net 1800' in 1.5mi. Lower third is more moderate, with upper two-thirds being the steepest. Summit itself has limited views through heavy tree growth, but a better viewpoint 1 minute before summit. Several open views along trail. NH4K#3, NE67#15 |
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 | Name: |
SpartyHikerfromME |
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 | E-Mail: |
spartyrules1855-hiker@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-06-26 |
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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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