hikersinger
Member
- Route: from the Kanc, Greeley Ponds Trail to Mt Osceola Trail, over East Osceola (4156') to Osceola (4340'), and back
- Trail Conditions: hard-packed, tiny bit of ice on the steep sections
- Equipment: microspikes
- Steep sections were more difficult due to flattened, hard surface; must be result of butt sledding activity
- Stream crossings were all very easy, save the first big one which called for a very short (and broken out) bushwhack; I didn't bushwhack on the way out and was able to go right across with a big-enough leap
Finally getting back out on the trail after several-month hiatus, except for a Presi traverse that peetered out by Eisenhower. Had stayed pretty active, running Reach the Beach in September, but was a little worried about the body's lack of hiking experience; more/different muscles needed there. Was also a little nervous about water levels, with unseasonably high, above-freezing temps and some rain the past couple days, even at higher elevations.
Pleasantly surprised to find trail conditions were quite consistent: very hard pack, really no powder. Used microspikes the whole time. Had a very difficult time with the very steep climb up to East Osceola, though, due to my pack and the smoothed out trail. I simply over-packed for this "quick" 4-5 hour hike, with four liters of water, and food for 2-3 days. I really don't know what I was thinking; I guess it'd been a long time, and the "plan for the worst" mantra was loud in my head.
I have a new view of butt sledding; had freely done it without much regard in the past, but I'm going to think more deeply about it in the future, at least on very steep sections. Ascending, and especially descending, without those helpful "steps" left on the trail can be very difficult on tendons (the Achilles especially).
Otherwise, though, quite straightforward as hikes go. Was solo on this one, but ran into several groups of anywhere from a single person to several.
Had trouble with my patella ligament in my left knee descending the very steep pitch coming off East Osceola; had first injured it a couple years ago on the Carters. It's been fine since, but I think the sheer break in time since the last hike, combined with the pack weight, brought it over its edge.
Last edited:
