Bread Tray Trail
State: NH |
The Bread Tray Trail provided a route to Mt. Osceola from west of Thornton Gap.
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| Bread Tray Trail Details |
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| Also Known As: |
Breadtray Basin Trail, Osceola West Trail |
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| Location: |
White Mountains - Waterville |
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| Peak: |
Mt. Osceola |
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| Opened: |
1915 |
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| Closed: |
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| Reason Closed: |
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| Guidebook Descriptions: |
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1931 AMC White Mountain Guide
Bread Tray Trail. (U.S.F.S.)
After following the Tripoli Road (see above) a short distance beyond where an abandoned road turns up hill L. for the old mill-site, the Osceola trail leaves the road near a grassy opening on the site of an old lumber camp (sign), and runs N.E. following a telephone line rather closely most of the way. Eastman Brook is crossed in 1/5 m., and recrossed in a little more than 1 m. (last sure water). The trail now turns E. and soon ascends more steeply, slabbing the S. side of the great basin formed by Mts. Osceola and Bread Tray, Scar Ridge, and their spurs. In another mile this road bends N., high above the basin. At a sign R. the path enters the virgin forest and begins to climb steeply. It no longer meets the W.A.I.A. Trail, but comes out at the observation-tower on the summit.
In descending keep R. for the first few minutes, avoiding a confusing network of trails.
Distances. To second crossing of stream 1 1-10m. (30 min.); to entrance of virgin forest 2 2/5 m. (1 hr. 30 min.); to summit 3 m. (2 hrs. 15 min.).
1934 AMC White Mountain Guide
Bread Tray Trail. (W.M.N.F.)
This trail, called for a time “Osceola West,” leaves the N. side of the Tripoli Road (see Waterville Gap Trail, above) 6.1 m. from the N. and S. road on the E. side of the Pemigewasset. It runs N.E. following a telephone line rather closely most of the way. Eastman Brook is crossed in 1/8 m., and recrossed in a little more than 1 m. (last sure water). The trail now turns E. and soon ascends more steeply, slabbing the S. side of the great basin formed by Mts. Osceola and Bread Tray, Scar Ridge and their spurs. In another mile this road bends N., high above the basin. At a sign R. the path climbs along the rough telephone line and soon enters the virgin forest, coming out at the observation-tower on the summit.
In descending keep R. for the first few minutes, avoiding a confusing network of trails.
Distances. To second crossing of stream 1.1 m. (30 min.); to entrance of virgin forest 2 ½ m. (2 hrs.); to summit 3. (2 hrs. 30 min.).
1940 AMC White Mountain Guide
Bread Tray Trail
This trail, once called “Osceola West,” leaves the N side of the Tripoli Road (see Tripoli Road, above) 6.1 m. from the N and S road on the E side of the Pemigewasset. It runs NE following a telephone line rather closely most of the way. Eastman Brook is crossed in less than 1/8 m., and recrossed in a little more than 1 m. (last sure water). The trail now turns E and soon ascends more steeply, slabbing the S side of the great basin formed by Mts. Osceola and Bread Tray, Scar Ridge and their spurs. In another mile this road bends N, high above the basin. At a sign R the path climbs along the rough telephone line and soon enters the virgin forest, coming out at the observation-tower at the summit.
In descending, keep R for the first few minutes, avoiding a confusing network of trails.
Distances. To second crossing of stream 1.1 m. (30 min.); to entrance of virgin forest 2 ½ m. (2 hrs.); to summit 3 m. (2 hrs. 30 min.).
1948 AMC White Mountain Guide
Breadtray Basin Trail (WMNF)
This trail leaves Tripoli Road 5.8 m. from its W end at the East Side Road. It starts NE up the hill along a telephone line which it follows rather closely all the way. For a few hundred feet it follows a small brook, crosses the bed of the old Tripoli RR, then follows an old logging road. Eastman Brook is crossed in a little more than a mile (last sure water).
The trail now turns E and soon ascends more steeply, slabbing the S side of the great basin formed by Mts. Osceola and Breadtray, Scar Ridge, and their spurs. In another mile this road bends N, high above the basin. At a sign R the path climbs along the rough telephone line and soon enters the virgin forest. A short distance below the summit the Mt. Osceola Trail enters R, and the trail ends at the observation tower on the summit.
In descending follow the telephone line.
Distances. Tripoli Road to crossing of stream 1.1 m. (30 min.).; entrance of virgin forest 2 ½ m. (2 hrs.).; summit 3 m. (2 hrs. 30 min.). |
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| Images: |
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1928-1929 USGS maps of Mt. Osceola
1934 AMC map of Mt. Osceola
1940 AMC map of Mt. Osceola
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| Last updated 2011-08-23 |
| Disclaimer: Data provided for academic and historical purposes only. Respect all signs. |
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