Hiking in the White Mountains: East Osceola

Showing posts with label East Osceola. Show all posts

Shoulder Season Sarge

During the first three weeks of November, Sarge and I took advantage of the dry and unseasonably warm weather and got out as much as possible, including three more rockpile romps on his march to 100, and knocking off twenty of twenty-five November G3 peaks for myself.

First up was a Saturday, November 2nd trip to Mount Carrigan. We started at first light before all the weekend warriors came rolling in so we had Sawyer River Road, closed from washouts of the December 2023 storm, and Signal Ridge Trail all to ourselves until halfway back down the mountain. Other than a little rime ice on the summit tower it was smooth sailing, unfortunately Signal Ridge and the summit was in the clouds, so no views were to be had which is a bummer since the summit tower has one of the best views in the White Mountains.

Sarge on an old skidder road which is off trail that cuts off a switchback about halfway up the mountain. Sarge on the summit tower

Sarge and I pushed the pace on Carrigain, finishing the 14-mile 4000' elevation gain in just over three hours so he got Sunday off while I headed to Lincoln to run Owl's Head. Another early start and trails all to myself following the standard route of Lincoln Woods, Black Pond, BP Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook, Brutus Bushwhack and Owl's Head Path. It was cold but comfortable and I was in cruise control enjoying my time alone in the wilderness not seeing a soul until almost back to the Black Pond Bushwhack. All in all it was a terrific morning covering the 16-mile 3250' elevation gain in just over three and a half hours.

Owl's Head as seen from Black Pond Trail

Monday, November 3rd Sarge and I started the week off with a pre-work rock hop up the Rockpile via the Sherburne Ski Trail and Tuckerman Ravine Trail. We started at 6AM and trail conditions were tame and easy with the temperature hovering around thirty degrees with barely any wind. As we passed HoJo's (Hermit Lake) Andrew Drummond caught up to us and we headed up to the summit and back down to the lip together before he speeded off and Sarge and I throttled down enjoying what would be our final Tuckerman Ravine Trail summit of the year!

Sarge heads up the John Sherburne Ski Trail under cotton candy clouds.

Tuckerman Ravine and the now frozen "Falls of a Thousand Streams" lining the headwall

Wednesday, November 6th we headed to Crawford Notch for a full-on Summertime greasy footing hike of Field, Willey, and Tom. We started at first light in a t-shirt and shorts as the temperature was in the mid-sixties and it did not cool off as we gained elevation. It was slow going as the unseasonable humidity made the rocks slippery, it was a good morning to work on staying upright which both of us were able to do!

Warm and humid morning in the Willey Range. Sarge waiting patiently in a small clearing just past Mount Avalon and Sarge taking in the views of Crawford Notch from the Mount Willey Outlook

Saturday, November 9th Sarge and I hiked a loop of Mount Passaconaway and Whiteface via Oliverian Brook Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff, Square Ledge Trail, Walden Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail, Rollins Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Downes Brook Trail, and X-Country ski trails. A nice 15 mile 4,000' elevation gained route over mostly easy to moderate grades. We got a later than usual start, 9am, to allow for the high winds to die down up high. Unlike the approach from Ferncroft the trails from the Kanc are lightly used and we didn't see anyone until just below the summit of Passaconaway and a few more along Rollins Trail on our way to Whiteface. It was cold but comfortable up high and mild down low as Sarge set a good pace for the day and we completed the loop in three and a half hours.

Sarge standing at the Sandwich Wilderness Boundary on Downes Brook Trail and running in the sun along the cross-country ski trails

Sunday, November 10th we headed to Mount Moosilauke for what was to be a group hike for my friend Ashley's birthday, but everyone dropped out, so it was just the Dood and me. Everyone missed out because it was a stunning morning on Mount Moosilauke. Views from the summit were crystal clear and we could spot the mountains of the Adirondacks in New York. Well worth the long drive from Gorham to have an easy no wind day on the usually windy Moosilauke over bone dry trails!

Sarge on the final approach to Mount Moosilauke's summit

Sarge on South Peak

Wednesday, November 13th, it was back to our usual first light starts as we hiked the Kinsmans from Easton via Mount Kinsman Trail and Kinsman Ridge Trail, 10 miles, 4,000' elevation gained. It was our first hike where we had to tap dance around some ice on both sounds of North Kinsman's summit cone but other than that it was another no traction November morning moving at a good clip along the trails with some decent views from the summits. It was cold above 4K early in the morning but comfortable down low where we ran into a few friendly locals who hike up to Bald Mountain routinely.

Sarge on South Kinsman's throne cairn. From this vantage point it looks like he has a turtle shell, teenage mutant ninja doodle!

Sarge on North Kinsman with Franconia Ridge behind him

Thursday, November 14th I took a PTO day and Sarge and I took the express way up to the Rockpile. Easy conditions as we hiked the swath next to the Cog Railway, no need for traction as we made our way up and down under abundant sunshine and no wind for the win!

The Dood checking out the views of the Northern Presidential Range (Jefferson, Adams, Madison)

Sarge with Mount Jefferson rising high above the Great Gulf

Saturday, November 16th was a day off for the Dood while I headed to Waterville Valley for a favorite loop of mine, Tecumsceolas, over Mount Tecumseh and the Osceola's via Waterville Valley Ski Trails, Mount Tecumseh Trail, Tripoli Road, Mount Osceola Trail, Greeley Ponds Trail, Livermore Trail, and Nordic ski trails. 17 miles and 5,650' elevation gained in just under four and a half hours.

Another early start to the day as I headed up the ski trails to shave off a half mile before ducking back into the woods at an outlook along the Mount Tecumseh Trail. I didn't see another hiker until I spooked someone on the summit, then crossed paths with a few more as I descended the backside of Mount Tecumseh. When I reached Tripoli Road I wasn't feeling great so I throttled down, refueled, and hydrated while keeping an easy pace to Mount Osceola Trailhead and along the first mile of the trail. As I gained elevation, I felt like my normal self again and made good time up over and down the Osceola's to the Greeley Ponds Trail junction.

Along the beautiful and secluded four mile stretch of the Greeley Ponds Trail, I jumped off trail for a mile and headed past an old logging campsite, #5, that was in use from 1915 to the early 1930's where I checked out some old rusted artifacts. This off trail excursion used to be part of the Greeley Ponds Trail before it was washed out just south of the campsite and rerouted up a PUD away from the Mad River

Beautiful morning from the lower slopes of Waterville Valley Ski Area. Mount Tecumseh on the left, Tripyramids on the right

Lower Greeley Ponds

Camp 5 artifacts

Sunday, November 17th Sarge and I headed over Pinkham Notch and down to the Rocky Branch Trailhead for an on and off trail hike of Mount Isolation. We made quick work of the Rocky Branch Trail to the height of land before hopping off trail at the "T" tree where we started the Engine Hill Bushwhack. During the whack we maintained a course along 3250' heading in and out of the many Birch Glades over the next mile. Along the way we saw a huge bull moose who luckily scampered uphill wanting nothing to do with us. After about a mile we dropped down and intersected the Isolation Trail and stayed on this until the Davis Path junction. The Isolation trail was a mix of bare ground, ice, and frozen mud. Unlike the western part of the trail that drops down into the Dry River Valley, the eastern section is not a very attractive or fun trail to travel. Because of this, after summiting we decided to take another bushwhack on the way out.

Isolation Express Bushwhack starts in a small col 0.25 miles from the summit. We were able to follow some tracks in the dusting of snow and once that petered out we were able to stay on course as there was a decent herd path to follow. However, somewhere along the lower half Sarge and I ventured off the normal route to the south and ended up hiking through a semi open plateau before stumbling upon the Rocky Branch where we easily crossed the river and then made our way up a steep embankment where we hooked onto the lower part of the Mount Isolation Trail. We probably saved a third of a mile doing this but saved no time at all. Once back on trail we decided to bypass the Engine Hill Bushwhack and stick to the trails on the way back making for an easy finish to the morning's hike covering the 13 miles and 3600' elevation gained in under four hours.

Sarge posing for a picture as we travel through one of many Birch glades off trail

Windy Mount Isolation Summit with Mount Washington and the Boott Sour in view

Tuesday, November 19th, Sarge and I did a quick hike up to Mount Garfield. Nothing too exciting on trail this day, the summit was windy and in the clouds so we didn't hang around. Trail conditions were pretty good with a dusting of snow starting at 3500' and a fresh couple of inches of snow over the last half mile. We made quick work of Garfield making it up and down before the start of the work day.

Sarge happy to be in the snow at the Mount Garfield / Garfield Ridge Trail junction and enjoying the windy summit of Mount Garfield

Wednesday, November 20th Sarge and I headed above the clouds for one last no gear hike up the Rockpile until Spring. We had incredible undercast as we headed along the Cog Railway, easy and straightforward hiking while taking in the views and enjoying the mild weather that was already hoovering around freezing. Sage set the pace and we motored up and down in just over two hours. It's been a helluva run on Washington since Memorial Day with Sarge getting up top weekly and we are already looking forward to 5AM June through August starts in t-shirt and shorts in 2025!

Twin Range floating above a sea of clouds

Sarge heads past the warming station where winter Cog riders can get a small taste of the elements

Sarge on trail with undercast blanketing Bretton Woods

Mount Clay and Jefferson

Crossing the tracks along the A.T.

Bright sunshine on the summit of Mount Washington

Sarge on the summit and next to the McAdams & Chadwick memorial cross a few hundred feet from the summit

Sarge basking in the sun on the observation deck

Looking north toward Gorham

One last picture of Sarge and the undercast

Pupsceolas . . . East Osceola & Osceola

Date of Hike: 1/7/21

Greeley Ponds Trail: 1.3 miles / Mount Osceola Trail: 5.0 miles / Greeley Ponds Trail: 1.3 miles

Total Miles: 7.6 / 3,333' elevation gained

Trip Report:

- Sarge is slowly chipping away at his Winter 48. While there are a few peaks he's hiked more than once, there are others he hasn't sniffed the snow on yet, like the Osceola's.

- The mild start to winter continuous as the second week of January begins. Sarge and I took advantage of the warm temps and easy conditions with a quick hike up both peaks from the Kanc. The trails were in good shape, both water crossings were bridged and most of the rocks are snow covered but one more good dump is desperately needed to bury what remains.

- Sarge and I only saw four other hikers out and about today, one sporting crampons so he could scramble up the chimney, the rest of us whore light traction, and used the chimney bypass.

- Mount Osceola Trail has sneaky good views along the ridge, and while both summits are wooded with no views, Osceola has a big ledge with expansive views just a hundred feet away.

- Once we hit Osceola main peak we jogged back across the ridge, tap danced down the steeps, and picked up the pace along the flats to make it back to the Jeep in time for lunch. :)

Sarge charges up the slide

Sarge hikes along the ridge and uses the chimney bypass

The always exciting summit of East Osceola

Sarge taking in the views!

Happy dog!

Tripyramids

Sarge heads to the summit of Osceola's main peak

Sarge's "I'm Thrilled" face

Tripyramids

East Osceola

Hancocks, Carrigain, and the Presidential Range

Lincoln, Lafayette, Owl's Head

Hancocks and Carrigain

Bonds and Twins

Sarge with Osceola main peak in the background

A Few Nice Hikes in the Whites . . . Hale & Zealand / Osceolas & Hancocks / Garfield

Date of Hikes: February 6,7, & 10, 2016

Zealand Road: 2.8 miles / Hale Brook Trail: 2.1 miles / Lend-A-Hand Trail: 2.6 miles / Twinway: 5.6 miles / Zealand Trail: 2.5 miles / Zealand Road: 3.8 miles
Total Miles: 19.5 miles (4,459 feet elevation gained) Garmin Forerunner 910XT for all hikes

Greeley Pond Trail: 1.2 miles / Mount Osceola Trail: 5.0 miles / Greeley Ponds Trail: 1.2 miles / Hancock Notch Trail: 1.7 miles / Cedar Brook Trail: 0.6 miles / Hancock Loop Trail: 4.2 miles / Cedar Brook Trail: 0.6 miles / Hancock Notch Trail: 1.7 miles
Total Miles: 16.6 miles (5,909 feet elevation gained)

Gale River Loop Road: 1.1 miles / Garfield Trail: 4.8 miles / Garfield Ridge Trail: 0.4 miles / Garfied Trail: 4.8 miles / Gale River Loop Road: 1.1 miles
Total Miles: 12.1 (3,178 feet elevation gained)

Trip Report:
- On Saturday I headed to Zealand Road to hike Mount Hale and Zealand, which when doing both in winter starting and ending at the winter lot off Route 302 is known for the longest road walk in the White Mountains, three miles in and four miles out along Zealand Road. Two of my most exhausting winter hikes have been over this route in previous winters where I had to break several miles of trail along the way. Luckily, on Saturday I had easy conditions with fluffy snow over a hard packed surface making for a quick hike in and out.
- It had been a few winters since hiking the Hale Brook Trail as I have been using the old Mount Hale Trail (AKA Fire Warden's Trail) because of the beautiful birch glades making for a more picturesque hike. The Hale Brook Trail has nothing too exciting along its route, however it's only two miles long so it gets you to the summit relatively quickly.
- The summit of Mount Hale has a big cairn on it where an old fire tower used to stand. If you venture off into the woods near the summit you can find some old relics from the tower, most of which is beneath the snow this time of year but it's fun to explore in the summer and fall.
- From the summit I quickly dropped down the Lend-A-Hand Trail over it's gentle grades and nicely blazed path. I came across the first two hikers of the day about half way down as they were heading up, they like me were happy to be hiking in very tame conditions.
- The Lend-A-Hand Trail ends at the junction with the Twinway right above the Zealand Falls Hut. At the junction I banged a right and headed up the relatively steep Twinway to Zeacliff and caught some unexpected good views over to Carrigain Notch. I was expecting to be in the clouds all day but it was turning out to be a decent day for views.
- After Zeacliff I made my way to the summit of Zealand, the Twinway between Zeacliff and Zealand Mountain's summit has moderate grades with just one short steep burst up some ledges which is aided by a cool ladder step resting against a boulder.
- From the summit I turned back around and had a quick descent back down past Zeacliff, the hut, and out to the top of Zealand Road, where I started the four mile walk back to the car. The temperature was hovering around freezing with no wind which made for a pleasant walk back to the Jeep. For the day I saw six hikers while on the trails and saw several hikers walking up the road heading to Zealand Falls Hut to spend the night.
- Unlike my previous two suffer-fests doing this route in winter where I started at dawn and finished in the dark, I was back to my car before 2PM!

- On Sunday I met up with Kyle at the Greeley Ponds trailhead to do a double hit and run of the Osceolas followed by the Hancocks. The two trailheads are located less than half a mile from each other, and the ranges, which are similar as they both have moderate approaches followed by super steep ascents, are only separated by a couple of miles as well but the conditions couldn't have been anymore different.
- The trail below East Peak of Mount Osceola was covered in sketchy ice under a dusting of snow, Kyle's hillsounds held up well while I had to use extreme caution with my old worn down microspikes. Between the peaks the conditions were better, except for the Chimney which had an evil looking ice flow in it, even the bypass was sketchy, so I used the bypass of the bypass to the Chimney.
- I had my crampons in my pack but didn't put them on, I used the hike to work on my tree-hugging skills to safely descend the treacherous spots on the way out.
- The weather which was supposed to be crummy once again turned out better than expected for as we had decent views from the summit area ledge on the main peak of Mount Osceola.
- Even with the icy conditions we still made good time back to the trailhead just after 10AM, where we changed and refueled before heading up to the hairpin turn where we started hike number two of the day along the Hancock Notch Trail.
- Unlike the Osceola's the conditions on the steep parts of the Hancock's were much better, there was almost no ice just hard packed snow, not enough to butt slide down but more than enough to hide roots, rocks, and any ice. On the way in we ran into Ian and his dog Marley, followed by Hiker Ed.
- Kyle pushed the pace for the whole hike, which I was very happy he did, if I was solo I probably would have taken it easy after yesterday. It was nice to be pushed, even if I felt like and old lion trying to keep up with a young cub at times! Still, on the way out I felt strong as we sprinted back to the trailhead from the summit of North Hancock.
- For the second day in a row my hiking day was finished relatively early, not too shabby!

- With an arctic blast heading into New England over the weekend, Whitney and I decided to get in a nice weather hike on Wednesday up one of the more tamer winter 4,000 footers, Mount Garfield. With it's short road walk, very forgiving and gentle grades all the way up until the last tenth of a mile, we happily hiked our way over the old fire wardens road that is the Garfield Trail.
- We only saw one other hiker during the day, a nice guy from Vermont who is working on his winter 4,000 footers.
- There was a nice fluffy two to four inches of snow over the hard packed older snow making for a pretty hike up as we gained elevation.
- The weather was really nice for our hike, in the high twenties, no wind, the sun was out at times below 3,750 feet, and even though we didn't get any views from the top the summit was very calm and we could enjoy it which for both of us in the winter was a first.

To show how the snow levels are at a historical low in the mountains this year, here are two pictures along the Lend-A-Hand Trail. Top is from December of 2010, bottom is from this February!

The winter parking for Zealand Road is about a tenth of a mile east across Route 302. It's a short road walk followed by a long walk up Zealand Road

The Hale Brook Trail. It has moderate grades the whole way, the only problem area is a side hill that can be annoying when buried in snow (upper right)