Mileage: 7.3 miles
Elevation gain:
Trails used: Starr King Trail
Highlight(s): Views from below the summit area of Mount Starr King, views from below the summit of Mount Waumbek
Type of Hike: Trailed
Views: Yes
With the ringing in of a new year, Brian and I kicked 2014 off right with the first of many adventures to come for this year. The day was frigid cold and windy, but the reward to be had was stunning winter views. With steep grades and soft snow, some considerable effort was expended in the 7.6 mile round trip. The good thing was there was a fresh snowshoe track already laid down for us to follow, making this hike a bit easier.
I am still trying to finish my Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Winter 48 list ,which is going on almost 6 years now, and I needed both Osceola peak's to whittle away at the few remaining peaks I have left. With the multitude of hikers (especially in winter) we figured this would be an easy out and back hike.
Mount Osceola and Mount Osceola-East Peak are located in Lincoln, Livermore Township and Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. There are no views from the wooded, view-less summit of Mount Osceola-East Peak, but there are views along the Mount Osceola Trail on the way to the summit of Mount Osceola. Mount Osceola has views on its summit ledges and the remains of an old fire tower.
Mount Osceola-East Peak and Mount Osceola are on the New Hampshire Four Thousand Footer's List, the New England One Hundred Highest List, the New Hampshire One Hundred Highest List, the New Hampshire 200 Hundred Highest List and the New Hampshire 3K List.
The Greeley Ponds Trail starts off the Kancamagus Highway at the Greeley Ponds Trailhead parking area. There was a considerable amount of snow on the ground, but there was a good snow shoe track already in place.
The first junction and it gets steeper from here. This is the junction for the Greeley Ponds Trail and Mount Osceola Trail.
We start to head up and get this view of Mount Osceola-East Peak. The trail is pretty steep in some sections on the way to the main summit area of Mount Osceola-East Peak.
The Mount Osceola Trail was easy to follow as it ascends towards the summit of Mount Osceola-East Peak.
A nice ledge area on the side of Mount Osceola-East Peak as we are heading up.
The view from the top of the old slide heading up to Mount Osceola-East Peak of Mount Chocorua, Flume Peak, Scaur Peak and The Tripyramids.
So far, so good. Yes, it's a bit cold out but its fun so far. This is on the summit of Mount Osceola-East Peak (elevation: 4156 feet).
This area in between Mount Osceola-East Peak and Mount Osceola is known as the "chimney". Going left here leads to the chimney. We would be taking the easier bypass to the right instead. It was a wee bit icy today and not inviting for our snowshoes.
Brian taking a picture of our next objective: Mount Osceola.
Along the way we got views of the Waterville Valley Ski slopes and the Sandwich Mountain area to the south.
It sure does look a lot like winter in this section between Mount Osceola-East Peak and Mount Osceola. This was the most snow we would encounter on this hike.
Snow squalls moved in the area but we never felt any snow today, but it did make for some cool lighting though.
The views from the summit of Mount Osceola looking back towards Mount Osceola-East Peak with Mount Kancamagus behind it.
A better view of the Tripyramids with North Tripyramids slide visible.
The old fire tower foundations covered in snow on Mount Osceola's summit (elevation: 4340 feet). There are good views from up here on a nice day.
Looking north to the Huntington Mountains and Mount Carrigain in the distance from the summit of Mount Osceola.
Watch that first step! The Waterville Valley ski trails and Mount Tecumseh in the background plus some snow squalls moving in.
Heading back down now over Mount Osceola-East Peak and its view-less summit. It is definitely getting colder outside now.
The views looking toward Mount Kancamagus, Greens Cliff and Mount Chocorua along the Mount Osceola Trail.
More winter goodness on the way down. It is really cool to see it like this in winter.
It always seems like a long distance you travel to and from on your hikes.This is looking back towards the summit of Mount Oscoela.
The cliffs on the side of Mount Kancamagus with one of the Greeley Ponds visible.
We are almost back to the Greeley Pond trail. There are really nice open woods on the way back down to the car.
With tired legs, we returned to the parking lot triumphant. A great way to spend the first day of the new year 2014, and a nice start to the winter season to come! Approximately 7.6 miles down and a whole year's worth of hikes to go. While it was cold and fun maneuvering our way in the snow, it was still a nice day to be out. It's going to be a good year of hiking.
No comments:
Post a Comment