East Osceola and Osceola

Total trip duration: 5:32:00
Distance: 7.6 miles
Hikers: Vance and Quinn
4000 footer completion count: East Osceola #3 (4,156 feet),  Osceola #4 (4,340 feet)

We had excellent weather for our hike today.  Our trip was an out-and-back traverse across East Osceola, Osceola and back over East Osceola again.  We parked at the Greeley Pond parking lot on 112 in Lincoln, NH to start our adventure.  Our route was Greeley Pond Trail > Mount Osceola Trail > Greeley Pond Trail.

The Greeley Pond trail was such a pleasant hike.  Both Quinn and I really enjoyed it.  The trail was very easy going with little vertical. If you're looking for a beautiful walk through the woods and streams, I'd highly recommend the Greeley Pond trail portion of the hike.  After 1.3 miles, we turned onto the Mount Osceola trail and really started climbing.

Quinn was really impressed by the way this birch grew on top of a rock.

There were all sorts of neat little rock formations we got to check out.

After turning off the Greeley Pond trail, virtually the entire hike to East Osceola was steep and rocky.

There were some nice views along the way but the East Osceola peak itself was in the trees.

After a well earned lunch break on top of East Osceola, we made our way toward Mount Osceola.  Between the two peaks there's a very steep rock climb known as "The Chimney."  We had a blast both climbing and descending it.

Shortly after The Chimney, Quinn found a little creature doing some climbing of his own.  He's apparently known by friends as "Jo-Jo Mountain Climber."

It was sunny and there was a gentle breeze blowing as we reached the Mount Osceola peak.  Unlike East Osceola there were excellent views to be had as well as many hikers hanging out enjoying the day.

While we were hanging out at the summit, Quinn made a new hiking buddy named Matthew.  There's nothing like a good hiking buddy!  Quinn and Matthew hiked and chatted together for nearly the rest of the trip. 

Holding hands, cheering and giving out high fives, Quinn and I concluded our hike.  Just like the week before, we cooled off in a different branch of the Pemigewasset river.  There isn't much better than a refreshing swim after a long day on the trails!  Quinn is really enjoying these hikes and I couldn't be more proud of him.

Here's Quinn's write-up on the trip

 

We began our hike at the Greeley Pond trail.  It was smooth going at first then it got a little rocky.  I didn't see as many mushrooms as I did on our last hike.  We did see a tree growing on a rock.  I thought that was pretty cool!

We had lunch at the top of East Osceola and I added some rocks that I had gathered to a pile of rocks at the top of the mountain.  My dad and I enjoyed the fresh mountain air.

Then we began our trip up Osceola.  We climbed up something call "The Chimney."  The Chimney is a steep trail of rocks.  I really liked this part even though it was a little tricky to climb.  

At the top, I met a new friend named Matthew.  Matthew and I had fun as we hiked down the mountain together.  We talked about mountains we had climbed.

At the very bottom of the mountain, my legs turned to jelly once again!  Then my dad and I held hands and said "We did it" before hopping in the car and heading to Subway for dinner.