What a sunny beautiful day to be out hiking in the Whites. The one mile stretch on Greeley Ponds trail was easy and packed snow. Mt. Osceola trail was where the climb began, and a steep one it was. The snow had melted the snow just enough to make it super slick. That, combined with many-a-butt slider down made a sort of luge to the overlook before East Osceola at 2.3 miles. Luckily, there were enough folks out hiking that day that an apparent set of steps formed along either side of the luge to make the climb easier.
We enjoyed a snack break at the top of East Osceola in the sun. Then we continued onto Osceola through the forest. There is one kind of tricky section where you have to scramble up some rocks – much easier without snowshoes as Cody found out.
I was happy to have had my poles for the way down with how steep it was, and can happily report no butt-sliding was done by the three of us.
Peaks
Osceola (4,314'), East Osceola (4,157')
Trailhead
Kancamagus Hwy
Trails
Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt Osceola Trail
Distance
7.6 miles, 3,396' elevation gain
Time
Start: 9:45am, 4:38 Round Trip
Weather
Low 30s temps, clear and sunny. Windy on exposed sections (few)
Trail Conditions
Packed snow in the shade, slippery mashed potato snow in the sun.
Gear
Spikes
Partners in Crime
Cody & Rye
Gallery
Summit of East Osceola
Sunny spring weather
Junction with Greeley Ponds
View of Osceolas from the lookout right before the final summit push
Cody and Rye looking out
Summit of Osceola
Clear view of the Presidentials
Still sunny on our way down
