Paradox
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- May 29, 2006
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Conditions: Osceola trail to Mt Osceola is in very good condition with little ice or downed trees of consequence. The trail to East Osceola from Osceola and back has much more ice but I bare booted it in and used Stabilicers out.
Special Required Equipment: Stabicers were better, but not essential on the trail between the two. Poles were nice for the last 100 yards to the top of Osceola for avoiding a hotfoot in the muddy area near the summit.
Tripoli Road was still closed at that time, so I had to hike in the 2.7 miles to the trailhead from Waterville Valley. The road is fast, so I did not mind. Even though you are on a ridge most of the way there is plenty of water available right to the top, at this time of year. The lower part of the mountain is the ubiquitous, slipperey when wet, grey granite that we are so used to in the White Mountains. The rock ledge that comprises much of the footing on the upper half of the mountain is different. It seems to be a white aggregate that is not slippery even when wet. There is a lot of sloping ledge on this mountain's trail, some of it covered with leaves. But once I had scoped it out a bit I noticed that the white stuff was just not slippery to my Vibram soled, trail running shoes. The trail between the two is not nearly as scary as it looks while viewing it East from Osceola. I did avoid the chimney both ways. No bugs then. Did not see any other hikers that day. Finally bagged the East peak after doing Osceola in 1998. 43 down, 5 to go.
pics
Special Required Equipment: Stabicers were better, but not essential on the trail between the two. Poles were nice for the last 100 yards to the top of Osceola for avoiding a hotfoot in the muddy area near the summit.
Tripoli Road was still closed at that time, so I had to hike in the 2.7 miles to the trailhead from Waterville Valley. The road is fast, so I did not mind. Even though you are on a ridge most of the way there is plenty of water available right to the top, at this time of year. The lower part of the mountain is the ubiquitous, slipperey when wet, grey granite that we are so used to in the White Mountains. The rock ledge that comprises much of the footing on the upper half of the mountain is different. It seems to be a white aggregate that is not slippery even when wet. There is a lot of sloping ledge on this mountain's trail, some of it covered with leaves. But once I had scoped it out a bit I noticed that the white stuff was just not slippery to my Vibram soled, trail running shoes. The trail between the two is not nearly as scary as it looks while viewing it East from Osceola. I did avoid the chimney both ways. No bugs then. Did not see any other hikers that day. Finally bagged the East peak after doing Osceola in 1998. 43 down, 5 to go.
pics
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