Hiking plans would be much easier to create if the weather in the White Mountains was much more predictable. On this particular weekend, the weather was unclear even on the day of our hike.
Our original plan was to do the classic loop over the Tripyramids, since we wanted to experience the North Slide. We decided to go on Saturday, if the weather was going to cooperate, and if it rained on Saturday, we would climb Osceola on Sunday. This was a fairly simple plan, and with the weather sites all expecting rain on Saturday all week, we figured we could safely make the assumption that it was going to rain on Saturday. Thus, we would hike Osceola.
On Saturday, it turns out that it didn't rain much or at all in Waterville Valley, but it looked like it was going to rain for a little bit on Sunday. Undeterred, we departed for Waterville early in the morning. After stopping in Campton for water and bathroom trips, we left and headed up into the valley. Mt. Tecumseh was just below the cloud ceiling, but as soon as we rounded a corner on Route 49, we realized that Osceola was most certainly in the clouds. We didn't think it would be too bad, however, and started to look for somewhere to park. As we pulled in to the Mt. Osceola Trail trailhead, three minivans pulled in, all filled with people. It was going to be a busy day on Osceola, though not a nice one.
After finding a spot to park around the bend a little bit, three of us went up to the iron ranger and bought a parking pass. Upon returning to the car, we realized it wouldn't lock... and then it wouldn't start. Not having any jumper cables, we began to ask around at the trailhead. Unfortunately, nobody had any, so we began the long walk down Tripoli Road, flagging down cars and asking them if they had jumper cables. Eventually, a couple stopped and said they had jumper cables, so my cousin (who owned the car), got in their car and got a ride back up to the car, while the other three of us walked back up. Fortunately, we had only walked down the road for half a mile or so, so it wasn't ALL bad.
Halfway back up to the trailhead, we were picked up so we could drive back into Campton where there was hopefully some cell service. We parked at a gas station and called AAA. After being told we had 45 minutes before they would be able to reach us, we decided we would have time to go to the Dunkin's across the street.
Eventually, someone came to help us out. About 5 minutes after opening the hood of the car, he told us we had a loose terminal screw. He tightened it, and left. Now that it was around 11:30, we debated about just hiking Mt. Tecumseh instead. After a 3-1 vote, we decided that we would stick to what we planned to do before the whole screw incident and hike Osceola (and East Osceola).
After re-arriving at the trailhead, we quickly departed, noting that we should probably go fast, since we wanted to hike over to East Osceola as well. The trail started off wet and rocky, which wasn't too surprising, with the occasional view up towards the main mass of the mountain or down to the valley below. After the rather uneventful 3.2 mile hike to the summit, we reached the ledges on top of the mountain. Of course, there were no views to be had at all, since it was so foggy, but it seemed like it would be a cool enough place in nice weather.
Continuing down the trail towards East Osceola, we soon came to the chimney. It was pretty wet so we decided we would all just be better off going around it, which was still kind of difficult. After passing through the col, we moderately ascended the East Peak. There were more views that looked like they would be nice in clear weather, but since it was so foggy we didn't stop. Soon, we reached the summit, which had the same amount of views that we had on the summit of Osceola. We stopped and took a quick break, during which we talked about either going back the way we came or continuing down to Greeley Ponds. We chose the latter, and soon dropped off the eastern shoulder of the mountain. We reached the small slide high above the notch and noticed we could actually get a view here. The clouds were passing far below us down by the ponds, and fairly high above us. While the views were rather limited to Hancock and Carrigain, we did appreciate them.
After spending a long time at the slide, we began to descend again. Eventually, we got views back up towards the cliffs of East Osceola, and passed through a lot of boulders. After reaching the Greeley Ponds Trail, we headed in the direction of the upper pond. Now that the clouds had really started to clear up, we got a phenomenal view up both sides of the notch. The fall colors reflected vibrantly in the water as well. After reaching the lower pond, we took an even longer break.
Soon, we started down the trail again. We soon found that it was much longer than we anticipated, but we had been making good time, so we weren't overly concerned. The map I had brought showed the trail having a "2014 trail relocation" and thus lacked mileage. It was mainly flat walking though, so it wasn't really that bad.
After reaching the Livermore Road trailhead, two of us decided that we would be the ones to go back up and get the car, thinking that it wouldn't be that far to the trailhead, as we didn't remember it as being really far at all. After walking past the Mile 7 marker, and remembering that the other trailhead was above the Mile 5 marker, we soon began to dread the long walk ahead of us. I put on some music to lighten the mood or make it go faster. It was something, at least.
2.7 miles later, we reached the car. The 20 or so cars that had been there when we departed were gone. As in all of them. It was only 5:00, so this was kind of surprising. Whatever. We were back at the car and that was all I cared about. We drove down to the Livermore Road trailhead and we were soon on our way.
What a day.
Our original plan was to do the classic loop over the Tripyramids, since we wanted to experience the North Slide. We decided to go on Saturday, if the weather was going to cooperate, and if it rained on Saturday, we would climb Osceola on Sunday. This was a fairly simple plan, and with the weather sites all expecting rain on Saturday all week, we figured we could safely make the assumption that it was going to rain on Saturday. Thus, we would hike Osceola.
On Saturday, it turns out that it didn't rain much or at all in Waterville Valley, but it looked like it was going to rain for a little bit on Sunday. Undeterred, we departed for Waterville early in the morning. After stopping in Campton for water and bathroom trips, we left and headed up into the valley. Mt. Tecumseh was just below the cloud ceiling, but as soon as we rounded a corner on Route 49, we realized that Osceola was most certainly in the clouds. We didn't think it would be too bad, however, and started to look for somewhere to park. As we pulled in to the Mt. Osceola Trail trailhead, three minivans pulled in, all filled with people. It was going to be a busy day on Osceola, though not a nice one.
After finding a spot to park around the bend a little bit, three of us went up to the iron ranger and bought a parking pass. Upon returning to the car, we realized it wouldn't lock... and then it wouldn't start. Not having any jumper cables, we began to ask around at the trailhead. Unfortunately, nobody had any, so we began the long walk down Tripoli Road, flagging down cars and asking them if they had jumper cables. Eventually, a couple stopped and said they had jumper cables, so my cousin (who owned the car), got in their car and got a ride back up to the car, while the other three of us walked back up. Fortunately, we had only walked down the road for half a mile or so, so it wasn't ALL bad.
Halfway back up to the trailhead, we were picked up so we could drive back into Campton where there was hopefully some cell service. We parked at a gas station and called AAA. After being told we had 45 minutes before they would be able to reach us, we decided we would have time to go to the Dunkin's across the street.
Eventually, someone came to help us out. About 5 minutes after opening the hood of the car, he told us we had a loose terminal screw. He tightened it, and left. Now that it was around 11:30, we debated about just hiking Mt. Tecumseh instead. After a 3-1 vote, we decided that we would stick to what we planned to do before the whole screw incident and hike Osceola (and East Osceola).
After re-arriving at the trailhead, we quickly departed, noting that we should probably go fast, since we wanted to hike over to East Osceola as well. The trail started off wet and rocky, which wasn't too surprising, with the occasional view up towards the main mass of the mountain or down to the valley below. After the rather uneventful 3.2 mile hike to the summit, we reached the ledges on top of the mountain. Of course, there were no views to be had at all, since it was so foggy, but it seemed like it would be a cool enough place in nice weather.
Continuing down the trail towards East Osceola, we soon came to the chimney. It was pretty wet so we decided we would all just be better off going around it, which was still kind of difficult. After passing through the col, we moderately ascended the East Peak. There were more views that looked like they would be nice in clear weather, but since it was so foggy we didn't stop. Soon, we reached the summit, which had the same amount of views that we had on the summit of Osceola. We stopped and took a quick break, during which we talked about either going back the way we came or continuing down to Greeley Ponds. We chose the latter, and soon dropped off the eastern shoulder of the mountain. We reached the small slide high above the notch and noticed we could actually get a view here. The clouds were passing far below us down by the ponds, and fairly high above us. While the views were rather limited to Hancock and Carrigain, we did appreciate them.
After spending a long time at the slide, we began to descend again. Eventually, we got views back up towards the cliffs of East Osceola, and passed through a lot of boulders. After reaching the Greeley Ponds Trail, we headed in the direction of the upper pond. Now that the clouds had really started to clear up, we got a phenomenal view up both sides of the notch. The fall colors reflected vibrantly in the water as well. After reaching the lower pond, we took an even longer break.
Soon, we started down the trail again. We soon found that it was much longer than we anticipated, but we had been making good time, so we weren't overly concerned. The map I had brought showed the trail having a "2014 trail relocation" and thus lacked mileage. It was mainly flat walking though, so it wasn't really that bad.
After reaching the Livermore Road trailhead, two of us decided that we would be the ones to go back up and get the car, thinking that it wouldn't be that far to the trailhead, as we didn't remember it as being really far at all. After walking past the Mile 7 marker, and remembering that the other trailhead was above the Mile 5 marker, we soon began to dread the long walk ahead of us. I put on some music to lighten the mood or make it go faster. It was something, at least.
2.7 miles later, we reached the car. The 20 or so cars that had been there when we departed were gone. As in all of them. It was only 5:00, so this was kind of surprising. Whatever. We were back at the car and that was all I cared about. We drove down to the Livermore Road trailhead and we were soon on our way.
What a day.
Comments
Post a Comment