There was a nice day of weather in the forecast so I decided to take a local hike. This hike would take me into the Great Gulf via the Great Gulf Trail. I would then take a loop up the Osgood Trail across the Osgood Cutoff and back down the Great Gulf Trail and back out for a six mile hike.
I arrived at an empty Great Gulf parking lot. So far it was looking good for social distancing and I was quite confident that this would not be an issue for the entire hike. I reached the suspension bridge that crosses the Peabody River and carefully walked across the ice covered deck.
As I walked along the trail there were spots of fresh snow from last night. There were three water crossings along the way that all had wooden bridges. I turned up on the Osgood Trail and the ground was still bare except for some very short sections of snow. It was through here that I thought I was seeing occasional snow flurries but wasn't quite sure as the temperature was in the 40's.
When I got to the next trail junction I went into the Osgood tent site to check it out. There was a bear-proof food box, tent platform and an outhouse. No one was here and I continued on to the Osgood Cutoff. Snow flurries were now continuously falling with occasional light snow squalls. There was more snow through this area but not enough for significant postholing. As the trail descended I was back to bare ground.
I made a stop at The Bluff tent site for lunch. There was some good views of the surrounding summits. After something to eat I continued on down the Great Gulf Trail. I was soon back at the Osgood Trail junction completing the loop. It was another two miles back to the parking lot.
I had a pleasant hike out. I passed three hikers coming in and kept a good distance letting them by. Back at the suspension bridge the ice had melted and it was a safer crossing than I had this morning. With a snowstorm on the way tonight it was nice to get out for a hike before winter conditions arrive this weekend in the mountains.
Enjoy the photos!
The hike starts here
The suspension bridge was icy
Crossing the Peabody River
Some serious bank erosion
The hiking trail and ski trail diverge
West Branch Peabody River
A burl with "lips"
Convenient bridge for an easy water crossing
Another bridge
One more bridge
Crossing into the Great Gulf Wilderness
Fresh snow
Turning onto the Osgood Trail to start the loop
Getting into snow on the trail
Overnight snow lingers on tree branches
Bear-proof food storage box
Osgood tent site
On the Osgood Cutoff trail
Fresh snow on the trail
A view through the trees
Large quartz rock
Wildcat ski area in the distance
Observation deck can be seen on Wildcat D
Zooming in on the summit of Wildcat ski area
Mount Washington
The Bluff tent site
Stopped here for lunch
Mount Jefferson
Mount Madison
West Branch Peabody River
Tree eating a rock
A holdout section of monorail
The loop is complete
Large boulder sits by itself
Flowing brook beside the trail
Vernal pool reflection
Mossy brook
West Branch Peabody River
Back at the suspension bridge
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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