Some of you know that I have been extremely busy at work. This past Monday we reached our milestone and this week has been a relatively relaxing one. We were encouraged to use floating holidays or other vacation to catch our breath. Rather than hang around the house sleeping (which I easily could have done) I decided on a relatively easy day hike that didn't require getting up at oh-dark-thirty and still getting me home by dinner. The Osceolas fit the bill and it has been 3+ years since I last visited them (#2 and #3 on my NH48 list). This time I decided to do the loop version and left my car at the Thornton Gap end of the Mt. Osceola Trail, rode a bicycle downhill to Livermore, and hiked in via Greeley Ponds.
Mad River Crossing, Nearby Local Resident
I've skied in this area more times than I could count, and I'd hiked to Greeley Ponds once before after a fresh snowfall, but hiking it over bare ground was new. In the general area of Livermore Road and the Greeley Ponds Trail, there are a half dozen test wells - they look pretty new. I hope they are not planning more development here. I followed Mad River's namesake for a while until it brought me to the ponds. The lower pond was quite low and I walked along the shore for a while, enjoying the view towards Mad River Notch.
Mad River Notch (Lower Greeley Pond), Signs of Autumn Mt. Osceola Trail
I'd never been up the East Osceola side of the Mt. Osceola Trail so that was new to me. It's a steep one for sure, with occasional loose footing, but the so-called "slide crossing" (the viewpoint) was no problem. I can see where it might be interesting in winter - which I will find out soon. It offered some nice views, which I enjoyed while eating lunch. Then it was on to East Osceola. This time I got to enjoy some views from the viewpoint at the top of the slide, before the trail turns left (south) and heads for the summit cone following the ridge top.
Mt. Kancamagus and Greeley Ponds, View From the Slide Crossing
As I did both Osceolas out-and-back from Tripoli Road, I was familiar with The Chimney. Last time I came down the bypass and returned via the Chimney. This time I went up The Chimney, and for fun went down the bypass and back up The Chimney. The view to East Osceola is nice from the top. As with most pictures, it's hard to judge the steepness or height. Having done so many other hikes with varying degrees of steepness or other challenges, it was no big deal this time.
The Chimney, below, The Chimney, above
From a boulder just beyond the Chimney are some of the best views to the north, across the Pemi. The col between these peaks offers a 180-degree view from the Kinsmans all the way around to Stairs, and includes the peaks from the Pemi Loop and more. As usual, clouds covered up Lincoln and Lafayette, and were threatening to cover Osceola as well.
By the time I got to the summit of Osceola, the clouds had filled in the valley below. From the older tower base, head north a short distance along a herd path, to a large boulder (is this the real summit?) and you can get the same views that you get from the col near the Chimney. I saw a few people on the way up to Osceola and one other person (hiking naked I might add - I mentioned I was not at all offended and that covering up was unnecessary) on the actual summit.
A Cloud, Trapped in Waterville Valley
Now I remember the descent to Tripoli Road as being full of rocks of the ankle-turning variety. My memory was right - I picked my way carefully through the rocks since I really didn't want to fall today. I got back to the car in 5:40 and went to pick up my bike. It's funny to see the Livermore lot without snow (I park there a lot while XC skiing) and nearly empty of cars.
All Photos Here
Back to work, but only for one day,
Tim
Mad River Crossing, Nearby Local Resident
I've skied in this area more times than I could count, and I'd hiked to Greeley Ponds once before after a fresh snowfall, but hiking it over bare ground was new. In the general area of Livermore Road and the Greeley Ponds Trail, there are a half dozen test wells - they look pretty new. I hope they are not planning more development here. I followed Mad River's namesake for a while until it brought me to the ponds. The lower pond was quite low and I walked along the shore for a while, enjoying the view towards Mad River Notch.
Mad River Notch (Lower Greeley Pond), Signs of Autumn Mt. Osceola Trail
I'd never been up the East Osceola side of the Mt. Osceola Trail so that was new to me. It's a steep one for sure, with occasional loose footing, but the so-called "slide crossing" (the viewpoint) was no problem. I can see where it might be interesting in winter - which I will find out soon. It offered some nice views, which I enjoyed while eating lunch. Then it was on to East Osceola. This time I got to enjoy some views from the viewpoint at the top of the slide, before the trail turns left (south) and heads for the summit cone following the ridge top.
Mt. Kancamagus and Greeley Ponds, View From the Slide Crossing
As I did both Osceolas out-and-back from Tripoli Road, I was familiar with The Chimney. Last time I came down the bypass and returned via the Chimney. This time I went up The Chimney, and for fun went down the bypass and back up The Chimney. The view to East Osceola is nice from the top. As with most pictures, it's hard to judge the steepness or height. Having done so many other hikes with varying degrees of steepness or other challenges, it was no big deal this time.
The Chimney, below, The Chimney, above
From a boulder just beyond the Chimney are some of the best views to the north, across the Pemi. The col between these peaks offers a 180-degree view from the Kinsmans all the way around to Stairs, and includes the peaks from the Pemi Loop and more. As usual, clouds covered up Lincoln and Lafayette, and were threatening to cover Osceola as well.
By the time I got to the summit of Osceola, the clouds had filled in the valley below. From the older tower base, head north a short distance along a herd path, to a large boulder (is this the real summit?) and you can get the same views that you get from the col near the Chimney. I saw a few people on the way up to Osceola and one other person (hiking naked I might add - I mentioned I was not at all offended and that covering up was unnecessary) on the actual summit.
A Cloud, Trapped in Waterville Valley
Now I remember the descent to Tripoli Road as being full of rocks of the ankle-turning variety. My memory was right - I picked my way carefully through the rocks since I really didn't want to fall today. I got back to the car in 5:40 and went to pick up my bike. It's funny to see the Livermore lot without snow (I park there a lot while XC skiing) and nearly empty of cars.
All Photos Here
Back to work, but only for one day,
Tim
