Osceola's via the Big Slide 3/4/06

NH_Mtn_Hiker · Feb 26, 2006

Date, Tme:
Saturday 3/4/06, 8:00am

The Hike:
Mt. Osceola and East Peak from the Kanc. via the Big Osceola Slide.

The Route:
East Pond Trail to the first crossing (.8 mi)--- Up the Pine Brook about 1.0 mi. to the base of the Osceola Slide--- Up the 1.5-2 mi. long slide---then bushwhack about .3 mi. to the Mt. Osceola Trail just west of the summit---bag the summit (.1 mi.)---then head over to the East peak (1.0 mi.)---then we'll bushwhack back down to the base of the slide (about 2.0 mi.) ---then out the way we came in (1.8 mi.).

Details:
8.5-9.0 miles: 3,000' elevation gain.
After reaching the Pine Brook, we will likely follow a herd path for about 1/4 mile along it before walking up the brook to the slide. The Pine Brook is very shallow above the crossing. The first 2/3 of the slide resembles a dry river bed, then there is a section of about 1/4 mile with several ledges in the middle of the slide. We should be able to bypass the ledges by hiking along the side of the slide...if not, we'll bushwhack around them. The top portion of the slide is fairly smooth and offers outstanding views. Overall, the slide is not very steep, just long. The bushwhack at the top of the slide is about a 6 on a 1-10 scale in terms of difficulty with the bushwhack down from East Peak being a 3-5.

Snowshoes, full-crampons, and ice axe are requirements for this hike.

Dugan and I did this hike this past summer. Trip Report is here.

All who are capable are welcome to come along. Post, PM, or email to join.