6//2/07
Mount Osceola 4340’ and East Osceola 4156’

8.4 miles 2400’ Elevation gain

Kevin, Judy and Emma

Our vacation was winding down and we wanted to get in one more hike before it was over. The weatehr forecast was not particularly good, so we opted to climb the Osceolas and forego trips to mountains with better views. Not that Osceola has poor views. All the mountains except for a very few on the 4000 footer list have good views. To be honest, I really don't know how good the view from the Osceolas is because I have never been in good weather. It's probably a lot better than I think! I know you can see the Tripyramids, but haze and clouds have obscured my view beyond these few mountains. I wiil have to make a trip on a good high pressure day. Today was no different than other trips as we couldn't see beyond the Tripyramids today, either. In fact, with the haze we could barely make them out. Hikes in the White Mountains are never a complete loss even if you don't get clear views. There is always something good to see along the trail. Today, like the previous trips we made during this week, the trail was littered with wildflowers. The Painted Trillium was out in force, Goldthread was all around, the brooks were running full and spring air was in the mountains. Freshly released from winters icy grip, the forests and mountains all but sing at this time of year. We climbed from the northside taking the Greeley Pond Trail to its junction with the Osceola Trail, then making the steep climb to the wooded summit of East Osceola first. After a quick drink and some nourishment on East Osceola, we made the 1 mile journey over to Osceola Mountain where there are the best views. Along this trail between summits there is a steep rock scramble known as a "Chimney" that is fun and challenging to climb. There is a way around it now where there was none before, but it isn't much easier and one has to be careful to not slip and fall. It wouldn't be much fun in the rain. The climb up to the ledges on Osceola is steep in places, too, but when you come out onto the ledge and get a chance to take a good look around, it's all worth it. Tick off a couple more on my quest to finish my third time through the list in nine years.