Osseo Trail?

[Trainwreck]

I am a bit of a slow hiker, and I'm thinking of hiking up Flume on the Osseo trail, now I know most of you consider this a dayhike, but I stress that I hike slow... I'd like to spend the night somewhere on the trail and do it as a short backpack (my body likes this better). Are there any legal sites near the trail?
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Bruised

 

[giggy]

hmmm - haven't done this in a real long time - but want to say the lower portion of this trail is an old loggin road - and kind of level - you might be able to find a site with the usual paramters - 200 feet off trail (or far enough so nobody can see you- 0ohhh I didn't sat that).

I remember this being a pretty easy hike - Maybe hike it and camp at liberty springs tentsite. probably 5 miles one way - hike out the next day???

just a thought.

 

[nartreb]

You're right, I think it already is a short day hike. To get an early start, you can camp at Hancock or Big Rock camprgrounds, very close to the trailhead. If you insist on camping along the trail, there is plenty of flat ground along the Lincoln Woods trail or the bottom 1/3mi of the Osseo trial, but beyond that the ground gets slopey, rocky, and heavily wooded. Given the tiny mileage difference, I'd prefer to camp at Hancock and not worry about finding a site.
There's always Liberty Spring tentsite but it sounds like you don't want to do the elevation gain with a tent on your back, never mind the fact that you'd have further to travel to get there from Lincoln Woods. That tentsite might be more attractive if you use the Liberty Spring trail instead of Osseo.
I do worry about the idea that you don't think you can handle an eleven-mile day hike but you want to carry camping gear on your back (and you're apparently heading out solo). Have you tried some easier day trips first? (Cardigan, Monadnock, Pemigewasset, Chocorua...)

 

[TDawg]

Yea I'f say set up on the lower part of the Osseo off the trail somewhere. You'll probably be just looking for a semi-clear spot because I dont remember seeing any spots that have been used repeatedly and worn down. I'd say pack light and do it as a day hike instead of lugging camp gear, but it's up to you of course.

Also, I read a report of a bees nest on the side of the trail. Apparently there is some sort of sign before you reach it and it is marked something at the spot. I think if you go to Trip Reports, it is titled "Franconia Ridge Traverse 8/20" by Mad Townie. It also talks about the Osseo trail a bit if you're interested. I'd provide a link but I couldnt figure out how to do it.

 

[Mad Townie]

TDawg, the bees' nest is much higher up, in an area where you couldn't really find a spot for a tent. The hammock people might be able to camp there, but not the rest of us--not comfortably, anyway.

The woods along the Wilderness Trail (Lincoln Woods Trail now?) and the lower bit of the Osseo trail are open, as Nartreb says. Still, I'd chime in with those two and suggest a day hike from the parking lot. Other than having to pass the bees a second time, going down the Osseo would be easier and faster than ascending it.

 

[dug]

There is a hardened site fairly close to the trail maybe a half mile from the summit. Water is not nearby, however. You'll have to schlep it from the last trail crossing. Between Flume and Liberty there is another.

Or, the first 2-3 miles is mostly hardwood so you should be able to find a spot somewhere in there.

 

[forestgnome]

Be careful picking up the Osseo Trail from the Wilderness Trail. The sign has been blackened out for some unknown reason(except for the part that says "AMC"). If you look closely you can read the sign, but being blackened, it doesn't catch the hiker's eye as well as a white sign.

Happy Trails!

 

[MichaelJ]

And it's on the right-hand side of the Wilderness Trail, though the Osseo Trail branches to the left.

 

[DougPaul]

The Osseo leaves just beyond where a stream comes in (to Wilderness Tr) from the left.

Doug

 

[Trainwreck]

Thanks to all:
I was up there on the Lincoln woods trail this WE. Noticed the sign for the Osseo was blackened out ..Why?
I am actually planning to do this with my 12 y/o daughter, and we have done many long days with tagging summits. Just thought if we camped along thre way the slog out could be lessened. Not too keen on the bees nest, though, think I'll take your advice and either go up the Liberty springs or do it as adayhike.
Any clue as to availability at Liberty Springs in overflow areas if we arrive late and all the platforms are full???
Thanks again, Bruised

 

[Puck]

Now for a bit of nostalgia...I have a map from 1984 that shows the Osseo trail starting from the Kanc and folowing Clear Brook to Whaleback. Does any one remember this? Why was the trail shifted to Lincoln Woods?

 

[DougPaul]

I was up there on the Lincoln woods trail this WE. Noticed the sign for the Osseo was blackened out ..Why?

I have seen reports of vandals painting over signs. Fortunately the text is also cut into the wood.

Doug

 

[TDawg]

There is an overflow area at Liberty Springs near the actual spring. I think it's big enough for maybe 3 or 4 tents squeezed in.

 

[Homer]

Osseo Trail sign

Here is a picture of the Osseo Trail sign taken about 3 weeks ago.


http://www.millstonegolfleague.com/osseo.jpg

 

[nartreb]

Now for a bit of nostalgia...I have a map from 1984 that shows the Osseo trail starting from the Kanc and folowing Clear Brook to Whaleback. Does any one remember this? Why was the trail shifted to Lincoln Woods?

"The original route of the Osseo Trail started near the entrance to Loon Mountain ski area and passed over Whaleback Mountain (also called Mount Osseo) on the way to Mount Flume. But the lowest quarter mile of trail was on private land, and rather than try to obtain an easement, the Forest Service closed over 5 miles of trail and built the present trail instead, retaining the now-inappropriate name of Osseo Trail."

source
I didn't realize it happened that recently.

 

[JOD]

Old Osseo

Puck,

Park your car across the street to the clear brook condos. go to the top of the road to where there's a visitor parking sign. to the left there are few boulders, head down the embankment, voila. Follow this to the top. If you're really intrepid try to make your way to the new osseo trail. I did this hike to Cannon 2 yrs ago. very fun.

Jim

ps don't tell anybody.

 

[DougPaul]

The junction of the new and old Osseo Trails was marked by a small cairn in a flat area when I was there in June 04. Compare the new and old maps to see the approximate location. Followed the old trail for 100 or so feet. Rather overgrown, but I had no trouble following it.

Doug