Snowflea
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- Sep 5, 2003
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Peaks: East, Main, Middle & West Osceolas
Trails: Greeley Ponds, Mt. Osceola, Bushwhack, East Pond Trail, Kanc
Special equipment suggested: Snowshoes, eye protection, compass, map. GPS function on iPhone came in handy, too.
This obvious traverse of the four main peaks of the Osceolas stares you in the face from the Hancock parking lot. Years ago I'd done West Peak from East Pond Trail and Middle Peak from the Main summit but had never connected the dots and done all four peaks in the same hike.
As expected, Greeley Ponds Trail from the Kanc was hard packed and fast. I barebooted but could've used some traction as it was a bit slick at 8:30 this morning. Once on the steeps of the Mt. Osceola Trail, I put on snowshoes (MSR Denali Ascents), both for the traction as well as for the televators. Conditions were the best I've ever seen - in any season - on this trail: hardpacked, fast, and about as easy as the steeps of East Osceola can be. The Chimney bypass presented no particular issues although I did use my hands.
The bushwhack began about 1/4 mile beyond the summit of Main Peak at the sharp lefthand turn of the (continuation of) Mt. Osceola Trail. Pretty easy going to Middle Peak although not quite as easy as my previous winter visit here. Did a bit of zigging and zagging to get around thicker stuff, but all in all pretty good going. With the warm temps the past couple of days, the snow has consolidated nicely such that spruce traps weren't as much of an issue as they probably would've been a couple of weeks ago. Still, being solo, careful foot placement was exercised. Surprisingly, the snow never got very sticky, and the trailbreaking wasn't difficult. I somehow avoided all the bad blowdown sections.
The east side of West Osceola as seen from near Middle Peak was cliffy, imposing, & beautiful! However, this section wasn't too bad either, and on the short ascent of West Peak, I stayed a bit to the right so as to avoid the steep, rocky cliffs, and popped out almost right on the summit. Wandered around up there a bit and caught some cool views of the Pemi Wilderness, Presies, Carrigain, etc. At this point I was about halfway through the bushwhack section (only maybe 1/2 to 3/4 mile or so).
The ridge between West Peak and the height of land on East Pond Trail contains a mix of beautiful open woods which were almost glade like for awhile and thicker, sprucey sections. Below, East Pond was clearly visible, and the East Peak of Scar Ridge was front & center. I angled down the ridge to the right of East Pond and hit the trail just below the height of land on East Pond Trail which was broken out (though not nearly as hardpacked as Greeley Pond or Mt. Osceola Trails). From there it was an easily 3 miles to the Kanc with another 0.9 roadwalk back to the car.
All snow bridges were holding or easily hopped over. Both parking lots were plowed. It was a fun hike. I may be starting to like bushwhacking.
Trails: Greeley Ponds, Mt. Osceola, Bushwhack, East Pond Trail, Kanc
Special equipment suggested: Snowshoes, eye protection, compass, map. GPS function on iPhone came in handy, too.
This obvious traverse of the four main peaks of the Osceolas stares you in the face from the Hancock parking lot. Years ago I'd done West Peak from East Pond Trail and Middle Peak from the Main summit but had never connected the dots and done all four peaks in the same hike.
As expected, Greeley Ponds Trail from the Kanc was hard packed and fast. I barebooted but could've used some traction as it was a bit slick at 8:30 this morning. Once on the steeps of the Mt. Osceola Trail, I put on snowshoes (MSR Denali Ascents), both for the traction as well as for the televators. Conditions were the best I've ever seen - in any season - on this trail: hardpacked, fast, and about as easy as the steeps of East Osceola can be. The Chimney bypass presented no particular issues although I did use my hands.
The bushwhack began about 1/4 mile beyond the summit of Main Peak at the sharp lefthand turn of the (continuation of) Mt. Osceola Trail. Pretty easy going to Middle Peak although not quite as easy as my previous winter visit here. Did a bit of zigging and zagging to get around thicker stuff, but all in all pretty good going. With the warm temps the past couple of days, the snow has consolidated nicely such that spruce traps weren't as much of an issue as they probably would've been a couple of weeks ago. Still, being solo, careful foot placement was exercised. Surprisingly, the snow never got very sticky, and the trailbreaking wasn't difficult. I somehow avoided all the bad blowdown sections.
The east side of West Osceola as seen from near Middle Peak was cliffy, imposing, & beautiful! However, this section wasn't too bad either, and on the short ascent of West Peak, I stayed a bit to the right so as to avoid the steep, rocky cliffs, and popped out almost right on the summit. Wandered around up there a bit and caught some cool views of the Pemi Wilderness, Presies, Carrigain, etc. At this point I was about halfway through the bushwhack section (only maybe 1/2 to 3/4 mile or so).
The ridge between West Peak and the height of land on East Pond Trail contains a mix of beautiful open woods which were almost glade like for awhile and thicker, sprucey sections. Below, East Pond was clearly visible, and the East Peak of Scar Ridge was front & center. I angled down the ridge to the right of East Pond and hit the trail just below the height of land on East Pond Trail which was broken out (though not nearly as hardpacked as Greeley Pond or Mt. Osceola Trails). From there it was an easily 3 miles to the Kanc with another 0.9 roadwalk back to the car.
All snow bridges were holding or easily hopped over. Both parking lots were plowed. It was a fun hike. I may be starting to like bushwhacking.
