| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Osceola , NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 26, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Greeley Ponds is not plowed. We were the first car to arrive and it didn’t seem like there was enough shoulder. Drove up to the Handcocks parking area - also not plowed. Was a bit of a shoulder near the entrance so we parked with the one other car that showed up. Road walked to Greeley Ponds. On the way out, we found about 8 cars at Greeley and about 15-20 or so at the Hancock lot. Guess being a few feet in the road doesn’t matter in the winter. Will know for next time |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Numerous stream crossings on Greeley Ponds. Can step on rocks and a bit of ice. Easier on the way in than out as the traffic that came after us wore the banks back some. There are two actual brook crossings pretty early in the hike. Water was running pretty good. Were able to cross on ice and rocks after a bushwhack upstream both times. Water had risen on the way out so we had to cross in a new place at the bigger brook |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some step overs. Maybe 6 duck unders....literally crawling on hands and knees |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw 1 - it was pleased |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
First hike of 2019. We were first to the lot. We also broke trail for the first time from halfway up East Osceola. Not sure how this all happened. Usually the locals clear everything by the time we even get to NH. Nice to feel like we contributed something this time.
Brooks were high but cross-able down low. A lot of running streams with the melt of the last few days that were somewhat easy to cross. Snow was crusty with powder underneath, sometimes packed and sometimes not. I would suggest snowshoes. Still sunk up to 2 feet in spots up high. There were a lot of folks in microspikes after us but they were seriously postholing. And, another first, one of them went to the side of the summit for a picture and sunk up to her neck. I had never seen that. Yes, she was ok but wet. Trail is easy to follow. Probably could have done it without the markers but they are at boot-level up high and reassuring. For those that have never tried this (us this time), it is reasonably steep so be mentally prepared. A fair amount of butt sledding down - not sure there was any other option in many cases.
Trail should be broken out to though Osceola to Tripoli Road. A group of guys came through the East Osceola summit heading that way. Also met another guy on the way down east Osceola that had come up Tripoli Road, over Osceola, and over East Osceola. Lots of nice folks out. Tons of traffic in the afternoon as we headed down.
Finally, big thank you to my wife who came out with a cold/flu. Quite a trooper and one summit seemed like just enough today. Osceola will have to wait. |
|
 | Name: |
Tom B |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2019-01-26 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
