23 June 2005 Osceola and East Osceola, New Hampshire
Start of the Osceola Trail
I arrived at the Greeley Pond Trailhead on the Kanc fairly early but found the lot to be rather full. I created my own parking space, got my boots on, and set out on the trail. It wasn't long before I caught up with the source of all the parking lot filler. A school from Massachusetts brought a class of 5th graders for a few days of hiking in the Whites. The students were very quiet as they have a rule of no talking above a whisper. I threaded my way through the group which was spread out along the trail for some distance. Not long after I got ahead of them I came to the junction with the Osceola Trail, which I would be using.
Interesting blaze
I started up the path and enjoyed the fact that the school group would not be following me. I shortly passed under some impressive cliffs that I could make out through the forest canopy. It being early summer there were several wildflowers carpeting the forest floor including bluebead lily, lots of bunchberry, and a plant that I could not identify. A short spur went off to the left which I followed to a view up a steep ledge. Happy that I did not have to ascend the ledge I returned to the trail which climbed steadily over a rocky treadway. As I gained elevation views began to open up behind me, like this peek at the Tripyramids. Higher up the trail traversed a ledge with more open viewing and after some more stiff climbing I arrived at the summit of East Osceola. I munched a quick snack and continued along the ridge toward Osceola. Not far from the summit of East I came to an outcrop with a nice look to the north. I continued my descent into the col between my two summits and along the way ran into some familiar faces. Gabe and Colin, two recent Gould graduates, were returning to their campsite from the west summit of Osceola. We chatted a bit and then continued our hikes. Before long I arrived at a rock with an interesting blaze presenting me with two options. I realized I was at the somewhat infamous chimney. I could go straight ahead up the chimney, or take the bypass around to the right. Since I would be climbing I opted for the chimney. The bypass would be my choice for the descent. I tossed my poles up ahead so both hands would be available for the climb and although my pack got me caught up once or twice I was able to keep it on. I emerged at the top of the chute unscathed and hiked away.
East peak view to west peak
The rest of the climb up to Osceola was uneventful. The sun-soaked, ledgey summit was pleasantly warm and I sat back against my pack to take in the scenery. While I was at it I snapped a self-portrait to document my visit to this peak. I wandered around a bit to inspect the footings of the firetower that once sat upon this peak, and found the USGS summit marker. After a bit of lunch I made my way back to East Osceola and at the ledge just below the summit turned for a look towards the west peak. The steep descent was slow and knee-jarring but did make for some nice views like this one over a Greeley Pond. Other interesting views were closer at hand. Back at the junction with the Greeley Ponds Trail I decided to visit the first pond. I'd been by here before years ago and remembered them to be beautiful. The walk out from the pond was flat and went by quickly. Soon I was back at my car and was happy to see I'd not been ticketed for my creative parking job.
