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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Osceola, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Osceola Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Tripoli Rd is still open. Approached from Exit 31, which is 6.7 miles from end of off ramp. I was the only car in the parking lot when I departed. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All water crossings (they were insignificant) were fine.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Terrible, terrible maintenance. There are very, very few waterbars on this 3.2 mile trail and almost none were functional. The top has many standing puddles that should have some log crossings. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: OK, this is #18 of my 48 and I have to say, I love this trail and I also hate it. This is a moderate trail at best and by far the most gentle approach I have had yet. However, as I mentioned above, the trail maintenance has been severely lacking for a long time. After last night's torrential downpour, there was significant standing water and water running down the trail in many spots, particularly the first mile. I started kicking away the bank so the standing water and running water cold drain off the trail, before I knew it, it was a full time job. The book time says 2:40 to summit, I estimated it would be around 2:05, but it was 2:45 due to the time it took me to clear the water, by foot and by hand (forgot my rake!!). In comparison, it took me 2:00 to get off the mountain. Additionally, I think I tossed every single stick on the trail. This trail needs significant attention. In a couple places, I witnessed water running straight down the trail for well over 100' before exiting the trail. I know my work is temporary at best.

BTW, it was 44 degrees when I started and not sure what it was at the top, but a bit breezy, but a lot less wind then was expected. Has anybody else had to deal with the red squirrel at the summit who is a terror! Yikes. The top also has a significant amount of very large puddles that have floating monorails through them. No where for the standing water to go so they certainly need some log crossings up there for sure. Interesting geology all the way up, with the upper granite rocks closely resembling the "coral" like rocks you see in the northern part of the Prez's. This mountain reminds me a lot of Monadnock with the trail like a freeway in parts. Some parts are very rocky and others don't have any, strange.  
Name
Name: Kelly 
E-Mail
E-Mail: luvmaine@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-11-07 
Link
Link: https:// 
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