State: New Hampshire
Location: White Mountains National Forest
Length, One-Way: 5.6 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 2260 feet
Maximum Elevation: 4340 feet
Elevation Change: 2400 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: White Mountains National Forest Fee Site.
New Hampshire Mountains
Trail Information
The Mount Osceola Trail leads from Thornton Gap on Tripoli Road to Mad River Notch at a junction with the Greeley Ponds Trail. This trail passes over the main and East Peak of Mount Osceola. The western half of the trail to the main peak is the graded access to the former fire tower and has a relatively moderate grade although the footway is somewhat rocky, while the eastern half of the trail is rough with several steep sections and tricky spots.
From the parking area, the Mount Osceola Trail climbs up Breadtray Ridge with numerous switchbacks. At the end of a switchback at 3.1 miles, an opening in the scrub indicates where the old telephone line came in. At 3.3 miles, the summit is reached at a small set of old fire tower footings, where a short path leaves to the left to a viewpoint. The main trail descends slightly to the top of a large ledge with newer fire tower footings, offering extensive views to the east.
From the summit, the Mount Osceola Trail leaves on a gradual descent at first but the trail soon steepens. As the trail approaches East Osceola it descends onto a narrower and rockier trail. To ease the descent between Mt. Osceola and East Osceola, a small trail to the left (north) may be taken. The trail rejoins at 3.8 miles to ascend up to East Osceola which is reached a little beyond the 4 mile point. The trail then descends along a loose, rocky path when can be quite steep, however, it tapers off to reach spectacular views of the Greeley Ponds Scenic Area.
Directions
From Interstate 93:
Take Exit 31 off of Interstate 93. Then take Tripoli Road about 6.7 miles
