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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks East Osceola, Mt. Osceola, NH
Trails
Trails: Greeley Ponds XC Ski Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, February 13, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Greeley Ponds hiking trail lot is not plowed and is blocked by a large snowbank. Though the roadside snowbanks were recently pushed back, the shoulder is soft (noted multiple deep tire imprints, suggesting vehicles had to be towed out when they sunk). There are two plowed bumps outs a few tenths above the hiking lot. We opted to go in via the XC ski trail, which has a decent plowed bumpout next to it (enough room to park facing in). All lots were full early this afternoon. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Skis 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None of significance via this route. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Cut out two blowdowns on/near East. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Typical disposable face mask litter. 
 
Comments
Comments: Greeley Ponds XC ski trail REQUIRES SNOWSHOES OR SKIS. Some parasitic postholer ignored the signs and left some carnage. We fixed what we could. Otherwise, it was nicely, softly packed. 2-3 feet of snowpack.

Mt. Osceola Trail was generally packed out, though there was some active drifting. Massachusetts Microspikes were getting dirty looks from (the majority) snowshoers as the were leaving postholes in these areas. The first steep (adjacent to the bottom of the slide) is very tricky, as buttsliders have pulled a lot of the snow off the trail on the side slope. Caution needed while descending. Tubbs Flex Alps were ideal. The slide crossing okay, as there's a bit of a shelf established. The gully at the ridge was a little tricky, but generally enough snow to grip on the descent (not sure what will be left after the Microspikers try to get it down it this afternoon).

Generally about 4 feet of snow on the ridge with some drifting in a few places. Most folks are taking the double-bypass at the chimney. Not too much traffic from the view ledge to the highpoint. No tracks heading toward Tripoli, though a couple with snowshoes and skis was planning to descend that way.

Subzero start, but temperatures made it into the 20s with blue skies.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-02-13 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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