Many steps for man, and one giant slog for mankind: Mt. Flume (06-Feb-2009)

[1HappyHiker]

My hiking partner (Zman) and I did an “out and back” hike to Mt. Flume on 06-Feb-2009 via the Lincoln Woods and Osseo Trails. It’s a relatively easy hike, but it is 11 miles round-trip with a 3,150 elevation gain. Therefore, as the title of this report implies, it involves many steps and it is a bit of a slog!

Although the trek to and from Mt. Flume was basically uneventful, that’s not to imply that both Zman & I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the hike. Many of us can relate to having a great time just ambling through the winter woods and simply enjoying the surroundings and engaging in occasional chatter with your partner as you hike along.

The Osseo Trail was very well broken out. There were a few blowdowns, but all were easily negotiated in one manner or another. This was the first time that either of us had hiked to Mt. Flume in the winter. It was amazing to see how the ladders on this trail had simply disappeared into the deep snow, leaving only a steep section of trail to climb and descend.

Below is a photo taken at one of the ladder areas.

It turned out to be a much better viewing day than we had anticipated. Among many other marvelous views, we got the spectacular view into the Pemi from Mt. Flume.

And, we were also treated to the excellent view looking up the Franconia Range.

Below is one last photo showing the final approach to the summit of Mt. Flume with Mt. Liberty in the background.

1HappyHiker

 

[Fisher Cat]

Nice shots 1HappyHiker! Especially enjoy the shot of the approach to the summit. How was the wind, or was there any? When we did an Alpine Flower Watch there in June it was blowing hard and cold. The wind up there skews your perception at times.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Nice shots 1HappyHiker! Especially enjoy the shot of the approach to the summit. How was the wind, or was there any? When we did an Alpine Flower Watch there in June it was blowing hard and cold. The wind up there skews your perception at times.

The “Wind Gods” were nice to us today! We were allowed a wind-free lunch, but shortly after we finished eating, the winds picked up and it became bitterly COLD. We took it as a hint that it was time to leave!

 

[TrishandAlex]

Lovely, gorgous pictures! What great views! Congrats!!!

 

[Silverfox]

nice report John..always like the Osseo ascent of the ridge..while the ladders steep..or buried ladders I guess..the rest of the ascent is fairly moderate..as opposed to Liberty Springs which climbs so relentlessly for such a long period..good day to be out

 

[NeoAkela]

Great photos, John! Flume is one of my favorite mountains - really "cool" in winter!

 

[NewHampshire]

I have been thinking of doing Flume from Osseo for a bit now. Since it is broken out maybe it is time to visit before the next big snow event .

Brian

 

[hikingmaineac]

You definitely did have some nice conditions! Very nice photos.

 

[grumpygran]

Flume via Osseo

I don't winter hike but your description and photos would tempt one to do so! Wonderful views, I envy you those. Obviously a great day out.
Grumpygran

 

[Mike P.]

Nice , TR, IMO that approach to Flume may be one of the under appreciated trips.

A bit of a slog perhaps (much less than getting to BC or OH) but it's a pretty pleasant walk. I typically don't care for woods walks but I like the area above the ladders in the fir trees.

 

[grouseking]

Great pictures on a bluebird day! I hiked up Osseo in Oct of 2007, and would love to take the old Osseo sometime. I think it would be a neat bushwhack.

grouseking

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Great Pictures!

Nice TR and great pictures! Osseo is our favorite approach to Flume. We did this last winter in unconsolidated snow, very difficult day with no views.

KDT

 

[Forester Jake]

great pics

Great photos, looked like an excellent day up there!

 

[1HappyHiker]

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks everyone for your very nice compliments on my TR and photos!
Concerning the photos . . . WOW, considering the subject matter and the terrific viewing conditions, even amateurs could get some professional shots . . . just “point & shoot” was about all it took!

Kevin, Judy, and Emma” . . . thanks for posting your photo of the final scramble to Flume’s summit . . . a very cool shot . . . in more ways than one!!

And finally, maybe it’s just me, but I think I’d rate that final scramble to Flume’s summit via the Osseo route as perhaps the most unique of all the 4K peaks in NH.

 

[AndyF]

I descended down Osseo a week ago, breaking trail, and didn't have much for views. It is nice to see what I couldn't see. Had I been able to see how far it dropped in the final climb to Flume I might have been more concerned than I was. Ignorance is bliss.

 

[1HappyHiker]

I descended down Osseo a week ago, breaking trail, and didn't have much for views. It is nice to see what I couldn't see. Had I been able to see how far it dropped in the final climb to Flume I might have been more concerned than I was. Ignorance is bliss.

Andy . . . first of all . . . thank you for breaking trail last week.

And secondly, just to pick up on your “ignorance is bliss” theme, I offer the additional photo below. It was taken standing at the same spot as the photo included in my original post, except in this photo, my body was turned just a bit more to the left.

However, so as not to discourage anyone who hasn’t hiked the Osseo, the final approach really isn’t that bad overall. There’s just a small 8 foot (or so) section on that final approach where the trail is a bit narrow and has a steep drop-off on one side with not much to cling to on the other side! Caution and common sense gets folks through this section just fine.

 

[rocket21]

Great trip report as usual! Also, nice to meet you today zman!

 

[Fisher Cat]

Andy . . . first of all . . . thank you for breaking trail last week.

And secondly, just to pick up on your “ignorance is bliss” theme, I offer the additional photo below. It was taken standing at the same spot as the photo included in my original post, except in this photo, my body was turned just a bit more to the left.

You can always descend W by SW off the peak like we do for the Alpine Flower Watch! My very first impression of the peak of Flume was the drop-off as well. But then with the amount of times we've been up there you get quite comfortable with it and as a result we've found some great patches of Alpine growth that you normally wouldn't see. You just have to be careful where you step, not only to avoid crushing vegetation, but there is a lot of loose talus too.