BIGEarl
Well-known member
Hike Date: 3/27/2008
Trail conditions: Great.
Special Equipment: Snowshoes, Crampons, Poles
The trailhead lot is a little smaller than usual (perhaps 50%) due to the large amount of snow. Greeley Ponds Trail is well packed, wide, and smooth. In other words, terrific shape and very solid - easily bare booted. The Mt. Osceola Trail is in similar condition to the steep climb then there is ~1 inch of loose snow over a solid base. On the ridge the conditions are a little softer. Bare boot carefully or a slight step off the trail and you're in deep. Snowshoes would be helpful between East and the Main peaks. Crampons are a good idea for the chimney bypass. I saw no sign of traffic on the chimney. Poles are always helpful. On the Mt. Osceola Trail from the junction with the Greeley Ponds Trail to the Osceola Main summit there are roughly six blowdowns, all easy to pass (step over one and go under the others).
No way of knowing how long these trail conditions will last but right now they're a real treat.
With the deep snow pack plan on plowing through treetops in areas of thick spruce. Lots of hat snatchers.
Hiked with Fitz. Saw only three others on the trail all day.
Trail conditions: Great.
Special Equipment: Snowshoes, Crampons, Poles
The trailhead lot is a little smaller than usual (perhaps 50%) due to the large amount of snow. Greeley Ponds Trail is well packed, wide, and smooth. In other words, terrific shape and very solid - easily bare booted. The Mt. Osceola Trail is in similar condition to the steep climb then there is ~1 inch of loose snow over a solid base. On the ridge the conditions are a little softer. Bare boot carefully or a slight step off the trail and you're in deep. Snowshoes would be helpful between East and the Main peaks. Crampons are a good idea for the chimney bypass. I saw no sign of traffic on the chimney. Poles are always helpful. On the Mt. Osceola Trail from the junction with the Greeley Ponds Trail to the Osceola Main summit there are roughly six blowdowns, all easy to pass (step over one and go under the others).
No way of knowing how long these trail conditions will last but right now they're a real treat.
With the deep snow pack plan on plowing through treetops in areas of thick spruce. Lots of hat snatchers.
Hiked with Fitz. Saw only three others on the trail all day.
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