Join Alex and Chuck on a special Go Gathering visit to Mt. Osceola, where we will be enjoying an extremely popular, major trail that's under the full care of GO members!  The hike is timed to be convenient for participants in the Gathering, but you're also welcome to join us even if you're not participating in other aspects of the Gathering.  In addition to the mountain's main summit, we will also explore one or more of the mountain's three other peaks (East, Middle, and West) as the group desires, with amazing outlooks along the way.  Depending on our speed, we will take 2-3 hours to gain the ridge.  Once on the ridge, we'll spend 1-4 hours (group's choice) exploring the summits and views, as well as making note of any maintenance needs for the benefit of the GO crew that's heading back up in September.  We'll head back down, in time to partake of the Gathering's evening festivities.  With a distance of 6-9 miles and elevation gain of 2000' to 3500' depending on the group's desires, the difficulty will range from moderate to strenuous, and bodes to be the most physical of the Gathering's activity options.  The terrain is pretty moderate overall, but there are some rocky stretches and a steeper section or two.  Closer to the trip date, we'll let the group know based on the weather forecast what we recommend folks bring on the hike.

We will meet at the trailhead parking lot on Tripoli Road.  The best way to get there is to take exit 31 (Tripoli Road) from I-93 and go east 7 miles to just west of the height-of-land at Thornton Gap.  The hiker's parking area will be on your left.  If it's full, you can park on the side of Tripoli Road.  Please note that Tripoli Road is not paved for most of the way.  If it's more convenient, you can also access Tripoli Road from the Waterville Valley Ski Resort.  If you are heading east on Rt. 49, turn left right before you enter the village, where the sign directs you to the ski area.  In about a mile, bear right at the fork on the road, pass a gate (it should be open then), at the next fork, bear left, and continue a couple of miles on Tripoli Road to the trailhead parking area described above.