There are plenty of log bridges to walk above the wet area during the first mile, making this hike immediately a lot of fun with several interesting large rock formations. There are pretty views throughout the trail this time of year. For the best views, the perfect time of year would be late Spring, during the Fall foliage, or even later when the leaves fall from the trees. Who wants to post this hike!

Rocks

For beginners with no experience in elevation gain, this mountain hike will be a tough one. Hikers should realize that the trail between Greeley Ponds and East Osceola is extremely steep, rough, and has slides. Nancy and Eldora made the climb look effortless when we reached a great 30-foot cliff that was a lot of fun to climb. With even a little hiking experience, one will love the precipitous slog up to the small cairn marking East Osceola’s (4156’) summit.

From the East summit, it is not far or difficult to reach Mt. Osceola, named after the Great Chief of the Seminole. One descends several hundred feet before climbing up the steep stone and steps until you reach the top. It’s only less than one hour to reach the 4,340’ pinnacle, which still shows the location of the former fire tower.

The views from the top were better than spectacular. How immense Waterville Valley is expanding and replacing the wilderness. Beautiful 180-degree pristine views of Mts. Tecumseh, the Tripyramids and the entire Sandwich Range Wilderness made each step worth the effort.

Great view from the east slope of East Osceola

As we ate lunch, a nice couple arrived from Tripoli Road with their small black Skipper Key dog. This dog from Belgium is a barge ratter and easily became good friends with Eldora and the others. A group of 10 middle to late aged hikers came to the summit and reminded us of a lounge atmosphere so we quickly hit the serene trail doubling back to the steep and quick elevation gain of the East peak.

We again passed the teenage group of 16 girl hikers from Deer Run Campground and their solo teenage male leader, who was not only responsible for the hiking group, but also was the sole driver of their new $35,000 van!

Almost canceling this hike, due to not feeling well, Nancy then wrote to the Friday group saying we are on. Eldora always is happy to hike mountains every day. We were so happy returning from East Osceola that we loudly sang songs. I even saw Nancy with very big smiles. Yes, we had a lot of fun!

A tree all tied up in knots

We shook hands and thanked each other for another great hike, and promised to do even more difficult hikes soon. You are most welcome to join us on Fridays for a mountain of hiking!

This hike was our third to a mountain summit in 24 hours! Just the day before on Friday July 19, 2002, Get Outdoors New England member Nancy H. had posted in a GO-Chat announcement any who wish to hike on Fridays to contact her. This was the second Friday hike. Mt. Monadnock was the first and one I could not participant in.

I met Nancy at the hairpin turn of The Kanc. (Rte 112 East in Lincoln, NH) in the parking lot of the Hancock Outlook at 10 AM. The USFS has paved this well used parcel, landscaped the surrounding area, and added a very well constructed $15,000 field rubble wall.

Nancy, Eldora, and I, after relocating our cars 2/10ths of a mile South from the construction zone, left promptly at 10:30 AM to conquer 2 4k’s. This hike was a true ‘show and go!’ It starts out as a wonderful easy, then moderate hike through the woods with the sight and sounds of almost constant, pleasant, cascading waterfalls. We crossed the five brooks on the Hancock Notch Trail, beyond the Cedar Brook Trail and well into the Hancock Loop Trail.

It was here that one loses several hundred feet of elevation until crossing the last brook where the unrelenting, strenuous, and precipitous ascent begins to the summit of Mt. Hancock (4420’). For us it was another hike to a summit covered in thick clouds with little views. We stopped to have lunch and conversation.

The link to South Hancock (4319’) is most strange looking. An area several thousand square feet is surprising like a night and day effect; dead 10-12 foot balsam firs, with a massive ground cover of thick fir trees 2-3 feet tall. Then just as quickly, it returns to the tall, boreal forest and its ground cover of ferns. This was a 10.2 mile round trip lasting almost 7 hours. We will hike Fridays together. C’mon and join us!

Mt Adams (July 20)
Activity by Gil L.
Photos by Andrey

The following day on Saturday July 20, Eldora and I met Gil L. in the Appalasia parking lot in Randolph, NH at 9 AM. Gil was greatly energized as he wrote about this hike in his e-mail messages. His words gave me the extra energy to join him, as it was obvious he was invigorated and raring to go.

Soon Andrey K. with Dave K. arrived and had to park near my car on the shoulder of US Route 2. As always the Appalasia parking lot is over crowded, forcing vehicles to park off the highway for a thousand feet. Of all the Northern NH hikers’ parking areas, this one for many, many years needs to be expanded, its use modified, and the environmental impact addressed.

We waited until well after 9:40 AM for others who wrote expressing interest. When no one else arrived, we hit the trails up via Airline, and the incredible journey to the top. After about 2 hours, it was very apparent that the previous day was taking its toll. My knees to toes vibrated and ached enough to slow me from keeping up with the others.

Gil inadvertently led us to the Valley View trail instead of Airline, but Andrey's map saved the day. We found a cross trail (Scar Trail) which led to Airline and which proved to be more lush than (and less traveled) than either Airline or Valley.

Falling a bit back of the group, at around the Scar trail my pack’s belt buckle broke. This placed the weight of the pack squarely on my shoulders. Of course, the usual 45 pound pack certainly didn’t make things easier, but after all, this arguably is the toughest, maybe the most precipitous slog of any mountain North of the Carolinas and East of the Mississippi, short of Katahdin!

I usually bring 3 liters of water on hikes, on this one 4 were brought. And 3 meals, extra wool socks, shirt, sweater, winter jacket, and rain gear. Hikers know the White Mountains are killers – even in mid-summer! This is one seriously rugged hike not recommended for beginners as one gains 4500’ in elevation, is very steep, has a round trip of 8.6 miles and a grueling 8+ hour round trip climb!

Reaching the Alpine Zone is always such a delight. The flora is unprecedented, and rich with beauty.  There is life above the timberline; in addition to the moss and very hardy shrubs, we spotted some toads with skin colors matching that of the rocks. This camouflage is obviously a good defense against predatory birds--but not clumsy hikers!  We continued onward and upward, meeting dozens of wonderfully nice hikers of all ages as we pressed on to reach the (5799’ !!) summit. For once, the summit (There are 5 separate Adams peaks in all) was sunny and clear with spectacular 360 degree views as far as the eyes can see! We returned to Appalasia lot just before 5:30 PM, only one half hour behind the others and shared our experiences.

These two back to back hikes were 18.6 miles and a 7,150 foot elevation gain in 24 hours for us. I very much enjoyed, and certainly could feel the aerobic workout of this great hike. I can’t wait for the next hike. Play hooky from work, get outdoors, climb some mountains, and join us for a day of sensational hiking!

Well...What about arriving there only to be surprised by the discovery of additional trails you had no idea were there?  And a little map that indicated a nice, long loop...lots of vistas...farm roads...?  Well, that changes everything.

Evidence suggests that Ted (of Ted's Trail fame) had something to do with a relatively new or re-vamped trail system on the south and east sides of Crotched Mt---a trail system we were more than happy to try out!

What made us think that Ted had something to do with these trails...?

What we have here, methinks, is Ted's Trail moved over a few miles.

And it's most worthy of Ted, even if the waterfall is missing.

It was a super day for hiking the tallest mountain South of the Franconia Range. Temperatures were a comfortable 57 degrees when Eldora and I left Dalton Mountain at 7 am on Sunday July 7, 2002. The pleasant forest drive helped us to meditate and refresh us with wonderment as we drove on Routes 112 & 118 in Woodstock and in Warren, NH.

Eldora and I arrived at the Dartmouth Outing Club's Moosilauke Ravine Lodge at 7:45 am and went inside the hand made log lodge and shared an all you can eat, $6 sensational breakfast with 60 Dartmouth sophomores and other hikers. At 8:30 am the group from Get Outdoors New England arrived right on time to the second. How did you guys do that?!

Eileen F., the group leader, brought experienced hikers Cindy B. & Mike B. from the Welsh & Dickey climb, and newcomers Lucent Tech SQA Engineer Andrey K. and former USA Embassy Marine guard Sgt. Frank S.

Andrey

Eileen had forgotten she had Thursday and Friday off when this hike was posted. The many of you that tried to e-mail her and did not receive a reply after Wednesday now know why the silence. Her apologies to you.

After changing clothes and getting our gear prepared, we left the parking area for the Gorge Brook Trail at 8:55 am. The cool mountain air was perfect for hiking in July. Onward and upward we trekked.

We reached the summit of Moosilauke (4802’) in just 3 1/2 hours. A heavy mist of rolling and swirling clouds on the summit produced a surreal appearance. The cold 30 mph winds required us the seek shelter behind the old stone foundation of the former lodge where we ate lunch and chatted to our hearts content.

At the Summit

Now it was on to the South Summit and the Carriage Trail. Only a few hundred feet down brings us into clear sunny skies with views of Mt Clough, Benton State Forest, Hurricane Mt, and score’s of other mountains to the West and South.

South Peak

There are no painted blazes to mark these trails. Tough at times to hike on, the trails are wide, rocky, and filled with exposed roots. The descent down was hard on the feet and knees, regardless of age. Excellent conversations and friendliness with all passed the time effortlessly.

When we neared the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, strangely we could hear multitudes of people talking around the lodge area. We wondered what it could be at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. We discovered it was the Sophomore Trippers of Dartmouth College known as the ‘STRIPPERS.’ A large group of these 120 ‘STRIPPERS’ were gathered to canoe, hike, feast, and party!

I bid my fellow hikers a farewell after performing a bit of magical entertainment for them and thanked them all for a sensational hike and fine fellowship. Let’s keep hiking!

As the 121st guest, I remained at the lodge. For hours I played chess, mingled, and socialized with the Dartmouth sophomores, trying the many different pasta and leaf lettuce salads, having hotdogs, cheeseburgers, and drinking tasty pink lemonade.

Eldora played delightfully with the two resident dogs throughout the festivities and made many new friends. A wonderful young rock n’ roll band, Dave’s Gone Mad, played their live outdoor concert for over 2 1/2 hours. What a great time meeting all the students, feasting, enjoying the music and the moment, all for free!