Mt. Osceola commands terrific views from its clifftop perch over the Waterville Valley region!

We will hike from the Kancamagus Highway/Rt. 112 side first using the Greeley Ponds trail to reach the Mt. Osceola trail that will bring us to the summit of East Osceola first [4,156 feet] and then Mount Osceola [4,340 feet]. The trail is adopted by GayOutdoors and is a great out-and-back challenge for advanced hikers. Jon and I will be carrying saws to clear out any blowdowns for the winter hikers who use this approach. As you can see from the pictures, the views are terrific!

The flat, wooded East Osceola summit is nearly viewless but there are two good outlooks during the hike. The main clifftop perch atop very rugged Mt. Osceola gives you a magnificent prospect over the Waterville Valley region!  The climb up East Osceola can be very difficult due to lots of ice; this is one of the more challenging sections on a popular route to a winter 4000-footer.

Here's a link to the hike.

Trail Specifics:

• Roundtrip Length - 7.6 Miles

• Elevation Gain - 3116 Feet

• Expected Time - 6 to 7 hours

You need to have the hiking capability to complete this hike. If you do not have this skill level, then please sign-up for an easier hike. This is an out and back hike, and if the weather is bad we may turn back after summiting East Osceola.

Make sure to bring gear for an early winter hike. Gloves, hats, raingear are all mandatory. You should be prepared with wicking layers and wear NO COTTON. MicroSpikes are required as we are now into winter conditions as well as winter hiking boots.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me in advance.

Dinner afterward: You are welcome to join us for dinner at our house afterwards. We ask $10 to cover our food costs. Bring your own wine/beer and warm up next to our fireplace! You are welcome to use our showers [towels provided] so bring a change of clothing.

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house [with Wi Fi] near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and/or Saturday nights. It's $25 for Friday night, $35 for Saturday that includes dinner or $60 for the weekend. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. Space is limited so email ASAP to reserve a bunk!

Take Exit 32 off I-93 and drive through Lincoln onto the Kancamagus Highway past Otter Rocks Rest Area and the forest service’s sign for East Pond on your right. Don’t turn off at the sign for the Greeley Ponds Cross-Country Ski Trail. Continue on to the next sign on your right, for the Greeley Ponds Trail parking. The distance from the exit to the parking area is 10.3 miles.