NH Tramper
Member
Date of Hike: Nov. 3, 2012
Trail Conditions: Normal fall, post-storm conditions: Lots of leaves, but mostly presenting as little leaf piles stacked by running water atop and uphill of rocks. The water actually helped clear the trails of leaves making for easier walking. There was water and mud, of course, but it really wasn't bad. Greeley Ponds Trail was the muddiest being a valley trail, but it was pretty clear of debris. The crossings on it were quite easy (crossing just upstream from the old bridge spot), though we were prepared to wade if need be. Mt. Osceola Trail, however, offered a number of downed limbs and blowdowns, mostly minor (and some of them have been picked up and tossed aside). There is one difficult-to-limbo-under blowdown that may be older as some trimming has been done on it. Of more concern, just past the easterly-open area nearing the E. Osceola summit there is one very large conifer blowdown completely blocking the trail. We bushwhacked just to the west of it through lower trees, a natural detour. There was a little snow and some rime ice coating everything, but the trail was still clear and free of ice all the way up. While we were prepared with microspikes, we didn't need them at all.
Special Equipment Used: Aside from trekking poles, none yet.
Comments: I led a great group of fellow hikers: Ted, Mike, and Chris, all members of the "Northeast Peakbaggers" Meetup group. Had a terrific time and it was good to be out. We all hiked the chimney on ascent; it was wet but not icy. The views were limited but still, I'll take it and like it. Lots of people hiking the Osceolas as well -- surprised by the numbers out.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
Trail Conditions: Normal fall, post-storm conditions: Lots of leaves, but mostly presenting as little leaf piles stacked by running water atop and uphill of rocks. The water actually helped clear the trails of leaves making for easier walking. There was water and mud, of course, but it really wasn't bad. Greeley Ponds Trail was the muddiest being a valley trail, but it was pretty clear of debris. The crossings on it were quite easy (crossing just upstream from the old bridge spot), though we were prepared to wade if need be. Mt. Osceola Trail, however, offered a number of downed limbs and blowdowns, mostly minor (and some of them have been picked up and tossed aside). There is one difficult-to-limbo-under blowdown that may be older as some trimming has been done on it. Of more concern, just past the easterly-open area nearing the E. Osceola summit there is one very large conifer blowdown completely blocking the trail. We bushwhacked just to the west of it through lower trees, a natural detour. There was a little snow and some rime ice coating everything, but the trail was still clear and free of ice all the way up. While we were prepared with microspikes, we didn't need them at all.
Special Equipment Used: Aside from trekking poles, none yet.
Comments: I led a great group of fellow hikers: Ted, Mike, and Chris, all members of the "Northeast Peakbaggers" Meetup group. Had a terrific time and it was good to be out. We all hiked the chimney on ascent; it was wet but not icy. The views were limited but still, I'll take it and like it. Lots of people hiking the Osceolas as well -- surprised by the numbers out.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
