Summits: Mount Osceola (4,340'), East Osceola (4,156')
Trail route: Mount Osceola Trail
Trail conditions: Wet
Weather: Cool to warm, windy and sunny
Total miles: 8.4
Total time: 5:14
My initial plan for today was a hike to Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln. After perusing the weather reports there were high winds in the forecast and being exposed above treeline for an extended period of time is not where I wanted to be. The Osceolas are well protected from the wind and needed them for October.
I arrived at the Osceola parking lot and was the second one there. The wind was already blowing when I stepped out and I was glad to have changed my hike to below treeline. The cool breeze was constant all the way to the summit and it was bordering on cold on the open ledge at the top of Mount Osceola even in the sunshine. I had the summit to myself and after a brief stop I continued on to East Osceola.
I dropped down off the summit and made my way down the bypass around the chimney. It was here that I met my first hiker of the day returning from East Osceola. We talked breifly then went our seperate ways. I ascended East Osceola and also had this summit to myself but not for a long as another hiker passed by. I stayed here long enough to get the obligatory summit cairn pic and then began my return trip to Mount Osceola.
On the way back I decided to go up the bypass as there was some water coming down the chimney and I had just climbed this back in August. On my return to Mount Osceola I crossed over the summit without stopping once again having the place to myself but that was short-lived as a small group was arriving as I started my descent. It was all downhill from here.
When I reached the herd path bushwhack to Middle Peak I saw the hiker I had met earlier at the chimney. She was just about to start her hike out to that summit for the Trailwrights list. We again talked briefly and went our seperate ways. I passed many hikers coming up on my way down. The trail was wet today with a few slippery spots but I managed to keep from slipping or falling.
I arrived back at the trailhead to a parking lot full of vehicles and lined up and down the road, a very popular hike today. I'm glad I changed my hiking plans as the winds on Franconia Ridge would have exceeded my tolerance and comfort level. It was a beautiful day for hike to the Osceolas!
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Venus over Franconia Ridge early this morning
The hike starts here
A view from the trail
Wet trail
East Osceola
Tripyramids
Mount Chocorua and the Sisters
East Osceola summit
Mount Washington
View from an outlook along the trail to East Osceola
Descending
On my way to East Osceola
Looking down the chimney
On the summit of East Osceola
On my way back to Mount Osceola
West view from East Osceola
North view
With high winds in the forecast I decided not to hike Lincoln and Lafayette today
Arrow slide on North Hancock
Looking up the chimney
Looking up the bypass around the chimney
Mount Osceola summit up ahead
Crossing the Mount Osceola summit and it's all downhill from here
Spruce grouse wandered onto the trail
Tree anomaly
Back at the trailhead
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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