A panoramic 180-deg view looking up and down the Osceola Trail ...
... continuing panorama into the woods (Click on images for exquisite details)
On the last day of the 12-week GetFit@MIT, I had a fine hike to East Osceola and Osceola. Starting at the Greeley Ponds Trailhead at 8am after an easy drive (with no traffic), I donned hat and light mittens but got down to shorts and shirt before the steep section up East Osceola. The day was in the 30s with variable clouds and light wind. The monorail on the trail was mostly intact but slippery, so I used microspikes, but I was glad to have crampons for the uphill part. There were a few dicey sections with ice but nothing impassable for me. At a couple points, I regretted leaving my ice ax in the car, although shortening my poles was sufficient.
Reaching East Osceola after just under 3 hours, I considered turning around to avoid the steep 400' down and then 500' up ahead, but I was glad that I had pushed on after reaching Osceola at just over 4 hours. Quite good views at the top and enroute (see pics). It is a very nice hike for me. I met only one other group, a British family who at reached East Osceola and were going even more slowly than I on the way down from East peak.
I am surprised that book time is 5:20 for this round trip because I took just over 7 hours. I must have been slower on the slippery ascents by a fair amount. Getting 426 minutes for getfit WAS helpful.
Summary: 7.6 miles in just over 7 hours, 3100' elevation gain, microspikes and crampons, still lots of snow, temperatures in the 30s, a few patches of ice and postholes but mostly mushy snow on top of monorail. Quite fun!
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Fred's Home | 6 images |
Up and down the trail ... |
Second part of panorama on the trail at the same location showing woods |
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The top is barren, cleared (I presume) due to there being a tower in the past with only footings remaining. |
Coming down across the crest, the trail is gradual before dipping down and then back up to East Osceola |
Coming down from Mt. The trail to Mt. Osceola provided views north and south. The trailhead is just hidden at the lower end of hairpin. Hancocks are center. |
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