Climbing a steep trail in the middle of a week-long heatwave is not especially sensible, but I had an itch for the Osceolas and decided to scratch it. I started early in the morning from the Greeley Ponds trailhead on the Kanc Highway, hoping to beat the heat for the steep climb up to East Osceola.
A short way in I made an easy crossing over the South Fork of the Hancock Branch. Water levels were pretty low due to a recent lack of rainfall.
The humidity was ridiculously tropical. By the time I had made the easy 1.3 mile climb to the Mt. Osceola Trail junction in Mad River Notch (2300 ft.), my shirt and shorts were soaked with sweat, and would remain so throughout the day. A check on weather.com later in the day showed the dew point at 73 degrees. Yuck!
The trail weaves through an interesting assortment of boulders.
This spot is a fine viewpoint. I sat in the shade along the edge for a much-needed break with some food and water. A hazy view across the notch to the various summits of Mt. Kancamagus.
The hazy theme continued looking N to Mts. Huntington (in front), Hancock and Carrigain.
Looking down on those cliffs on the NE spur. Some years Peregrine Falcons nest there. Adventurous ice climbers have put up a number of routes on these crags, including one called "Drool of the Beast."
The final pitch to the ridgecrest is through this eroded chute.
A detached part of the wild Split Cliff is seen in front of West Osceola.
East Osceola rises near at hand.
From the outlook, the climb to the summit of East Osceola is easy, then moderate, then fairly steep at the top as shown here.
Peakbaggers know that the wooded summit of East Osceola is essentially viewless.
However, in addition to the two outlooks on the way up from Mad River Notch, there is a fine NW-facing ledge viewpoint beside the trail partway down to the East Osceola-Osceola col.
Unfortunately, there was so much moisture in the air that fog rolled in, obscuring all views except the look down into the broad basin below, drained by Pine Brook and Cheney Brook.
A closer look at the chimney. It's fun to climb up when it's dry, and offers good footholds and handholds. A little tight near the top with a big pack.
Above the chimney the climb to Osceola is mostly moderate to easy, with just one more steep, rough section.
There's a great stretch of easy walking along a high, narrow shoulder not far below the summit.
I arrived at the big summit ledge viewpoint to find it totally fogged in. The concrete supports serve as a reminder of the days when watchmen manned a firetower atop Osceola. This most recent firetower was removed in 1985.
There has been speculation that the nearby ledge with the NW view could actually be the highest point. No vista there today.
On the return trip I stopped for a while on an outlook ledge just R of the trail above the chimney. A good closeup of East Osceola here.
Back at the slide there was a fuzzy look down into Mad River Notch.
For a minute Upper Greeley Pond was highlighted by the hazy sun.
A closeup of the NE cliffs.
The bottom part of the trail passes through some nice white birches.
Old hardwoods at the height-of-land in Mad River Notch.
A towering pine next to a big boulder, shortly before the crossing of the Hancock Branch South Fork. By this point I had pretty much wilted in the humidity and was mighty glad to reach the car.
Nice trip report Steve. About how long was this trek? Pretty much a day hike? Lose a few pounds? Hehehe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, George. The stats on this trip are 7.6 miles round trip with 3100 feet of elevation gain. I took many extended breaks and stretched it out for nine hours. Book time is about 5:20. Yeah, probably lost a couple pounds of water weight.
ReplyDeleteGood lord! A couple days prior to this I decided to climb meager little Table Mt. and I don't think I've ever sweat like that before. The heat was oppressive and I think you had the hotter day for this trip. I broke a sweat just reading this and imagining that humidity all over again. I salute your fortitude Steve.
ReplyDeleteGreat report! Loved all the pics, as much as I hike the Sandwich range I've yet to visit the O's and have been wondering about the chimney. First pics I've seen of it and am excited to hit this trail soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex,
ReplyDeleteTable is a pretty hot climb on a sunny summer day, going up those ledges. That must have been broiling! I won't be sorry to see this humidity go back south.
Steve
Thanks Jason,
ReplyDeleteThe chimney is a fun little scramble going up, when it's dry. Overall, I think the approach to the O's is much more interesting from the Kanc than from Tripoli Road, with the steep climbing and views on the way up. Plus, if you have a little extra time you can make the easy side trip to the Greeley Ponds, two of the prettiest spots in the Whites.
Steve