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About


Mt. Osceola (East Peak), Mt. Osceola
Lincoln, NH, Livermore, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Greeley Ponds Ski Trail on the way to Mt. Osceola's East Peak
Looking up the Greeley Ponds Ski Trail on the way to Mt. Osceola's East Peak

Route: Greeley Ponds Ski Trail, Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail, (Mt. Osceola - East Peak), Mt. Osceola Trail, (Mt. Osceola), Mt. Osceola Trail, (Mt. Osceola - East Peak), Mt. Osceola Trail, Greeley Ponds Trail, Greeley Ponds Ski Trail

After a morning hike of the Hancocks, I headed down the Kanc to the Greeley Ponds Trail trailhead. Seeing that the parking lot was full, I headed down to the ski trail parking area and donned my snowshoes.

While there was a snowshoe track sort of set alongside the ski track, both were plagued with postholes from barebooted hikers. While there were two water crossings, they were relatively minor - this appears to be a good route to take when the larger South Fork crossing on the regular trail is a bit high.

The Mt. Osceola Trail a challenge - buttsliders had turned the trail into a luge run of sorts. Fortunately, my snowshoes had an aggressive enough crampon to make it up to the East Peak, where the views of the Tripyramids were quite good.

While there were lots of folks on the trail leading to East Osceola, things were pretty quiet as I worked my way to the main peak. The chimney was filled with ice and untouched. The bypass wasn't much better, but with some less than elegant manuevering, I was able to make it up.

The views from the near-summit ledges were quite good. While I would have liked to linger, I wanted to get back down before sunset. Not a fan of buttsliding, I took a bunch of time slowly picking my way down the steeps. Despite that, I was able to make it back to the Kanc prior to dark.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Mt. Osceola (East Peak)
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Heavy
Destination: Mt. Osceola
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Saturday, January 16, 2010
Hike Commenced: 11:52 AM
Parking Elevation: 1,940'
Destination: Mt. Osceola (East Peak)
Ascent Commenced: 11:52 AM
Summit Reached: 1:38 PM
Time Elapsed: 01:46
Trailhead Elevation: 1,940'
Summit Elevation: 4,156'
Vertical Gain: 2,361'
Destination: Mt. Osceola
Ascent Commenced: 1:38 PM
Summit Reached: 2:20 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:42
Trailhead Elevation: 4,156'
Summit Elevation: 4,340'
Distance: 1 mile
Vertical Gain: 560'
Hike Ended: 4:23 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 04:31
Hike Vertical Gain: 3,422'


The Greeley Ponds Ski Trail trailhead
The Greeley Ponds Ski Trail trailhead

Looking at Mt. Tripyramid from near the summit of East Osceola - Click to enlarge
Looking at Mt. Tripyramid from near the summit of East Osceola

Looking up the chimney bypass on the way to Mt. Osceola
Looking up the chimney bypass on the way to Mt. Osceola

Looking at the Hancocks and Mt. Carrigain from the Mt. Osceola ledges - Click to enlarge
Looking at the Hancocks and Mt. Carrigain from the Mt. Osceola ledges

Topographic map of Mt. Osceola (East Peak), Mt. Osceola - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take Route 112 west from Conway. After passing the Hancock Trail trailhead and parking lot, the Greeley Ponds trailhead and WMNF fee parking area will be on the left a few minutes later. If full, there is a roadside parking area just west, where the Greeley Ponds Ski Trail trailhead is located.

Back to Mt. Osceola (East Peak) Profile
Back to Mt. Osceola Profile




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