| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Osceola, Mt. Osceola, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Greeley Ponds Ski Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 26, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Greeley Ponds hiking trail lot has not been plowed this winter. Some folks opted to park roadside adjacent to the lot, but many of the vehicles were over the white line into the highway. I opted to use the ski trail bump out lot, which unfortunately was not plowed this morning (or upon my return); I shoveled out one spot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None of significance via this route. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I recollect a stepover and a couple of leaners on the way up East. Maybe a leaner between the peaks. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Greeley Ponds Ski Trail signs specifically bans foot traffic; skis or snowshoes are the only permitted use. 1-2 inches of new snow from the overnight storm, generally spring snow. Snowpack is a foot or more, except for the occasional seep.
Mt. Osceola Trail up to the ridge of East was generally 1-2 inches of new spring snow. The dangerous parts on either end of the slide crossing were manageable with mountain snowshoes (Tubbs Flex Alps were ideal), but there is nasty ice lurking underneath. In a perfect world, everyone else out today descended wearing their snowshoes and didn't fall, leaving a nice snow surface to set up and bond on top of the ice. Three of the sets of snowshoes I saw were tubular walk-in-a-field types, which would not get one down the hill, so I suspect this area will get buttslided back into oblivion, making crampons mandatory again.
The ridge between the peaks was generally spring snow, but there were some areas of drifting powder and a few brief areas with a breakable crust. I use the chimney bypass bypass. Snowshoes were needed, especially in the actively drifting areas. Great opportunity to set a nice packed track before the temperatures drop again.
Temperatures were hovering around freezing, keeping the snow in a spring snow state, yet there were also snow flurries and some glimpses of blue sky. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-26 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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