(Sandwich Range – Osceola 15, East Osceola 16)
The day I get to test out all that new backpacking gear has arrived! This is normally done by most as a day hike, but I wanted to pick something in the easy range for hiking so I could focus on picking out a spot, setting up camp, and working out any bugs with the new gear. I’ll be trying out something for the first time shelter-wise with the new Hennessey Hammock, which I set up in my back yard earlier in the week and slept like a baby! Now for the real thing, with no security blankets to fall back on. I’ll also have to get the feel of a heavier load in the new Osprey Pack and get used to cooking freeze dried meals on the new Whisper-Lite Stove. All this will add a new level of fun to the trip, like playing with all your new stuff next to the Christmas Tree, except it’s much warmer now on this beautiful summer day and there is more than one tree to lay out my toys by.
Oh yeah then there’s the hike too: The plan is to hike up Osceola and then head over to its Eastern brother. From there I will descend to Greely Pond trail, which has recently been reopened after the damage from the 2011 storm, and set up camp somewhere off this trail. For the 2nd day, depending how things go, I can either hike out back to Tripoli Rd or take a challenging detour to finish up with the nearby Tripyramids. Lots of variables in the game plan like weather, my physical and mental state, camping doodads and whatnots, and of course if I get “eaten by a bear or attacked by weirdos that lurk in the shadows” (a bit of sarcasm for my friends back home that don’t understand any of this), but anyway there’s a potential of anywhere from 2-4 more peaks to check off the list. By now, I am fully expecting a change in plan and have even planned for the change, as it is bound to happen like it always does.
So I start out at the Tripoli Rd trail head where sure enough there is an overloaded lot full of day hikers getting their little tiny packs on for a quick jaunt up the mountain. I feel strangely out of place as I prepare to load my back with this mammoth load, as I go into my full stretch routine on the road side (the only parking available). The first stretch of trail is a series of fine strap adjustments and getting my balance with the extra weight, but soon enough I get into a groove and it is surprisingly comfortable. I love the antigravity feature on this Osprey Atmos pack. It really does make the load feel much lighter than it actually is. Another picture perfect day with dry trails and blue skies!
A few groups of fellow hikers say hello and ask me if I am practicing with the big pack. “Nope I’m actually camping tonight” I say. “Oh, that’s great!” and “What a perfect day for it!” and “You should see a ton of stars. I’m jealous!” are some of the responses I get. That makes me feel awesome about the trip and adds a spring to my step. It’s great that everyone is so supportive of each other around here. It really makes a difference and energizes you more than any energy drink could ever do.The Mt Osceola Trail is easy to moderate grades with good footing and great scenery. It’s good to be back once again, after a few weekends away. I went with my sister Maryjeanne on a Monadnock day hike last week. We had a great time and I think she caught the hiking bug which always makes me happy.
She doesn’t hike much these days but hopefully I can drag her up here for a few of the easier hikes, and so far this is looking like a good candidate!
The trek to the first peak does not disappoint and contains the usual splendor of the White Mountain woods, which I have described many times now in these writings.
It never gets old and I can never get my fill. The hike is actually pretty similar to Monadnock as far as steepness and distance go and I make it to the summit in about the same time. As I approach elevation, there is another group descending opposite my route and they ask where I’ll be camping. After I explain my plan, they tell me to check out the spot up ahead where there is a narrow side path leading to a clearing and a perfect spot for camping under the stars. I take their advice and sure enough this spot seems too good to be true! I fire ring in the center of a large rock surface clearing surrounded by a few wooded clearings and some more narrow paths connecting them. My plan was to camp down by Greely Pond trail but this is too good to pass up! So I unpack much of my cargo and leave my camping items here, setting up the hammock real quick in one of the treed areas, then proceed on with a lightened load. The summit of Osceola provides another fabulous view of course. There are quite a few hikers lounging around, taking in the sun and the scenery. I pick out a spot and join them while munching down a sandwich, but don’t linger too long because I know I will have this ledge to myself later when I return to camp after the mile jaunt to East peak.
On the way over I arrive at what is referred to as The Chimney, a near vertical rock face with a bypass trail to the side of it. I carefully make my way down the rock face and continue to make my way through the forest to the wooded summit of East Osceola.
Ok nothing to see here, check it off the list and move on. Luckily, as with many of the wooded summits there is a lookout through the trees just below. After taking in some of this, I make my way back, this time climbing up the chimney. This change in venue means more hiking tomorrow so I am unsure if I can include the Tripyramids now, but Greely pond should still provide a nice scenic hike out. For now, I am back at the Osceola summit which is, as expected, now deserted and – ALL MINE! I sit on the ledge for an extended period and a profound serenity comes over me. I feel like I am the only one in all of the whites. I love that feeling of peace and harmony with nature. Sometimes I wish I could just stay forever, but I know this cannot be so I will soak in all I can while I am here.
As the sun starts to make its way to the treetops behind me, a chill in the air reminds me to head to camp and get a fire going and some grub in my tummy. As I am breaking up the firewood, I notice the glow in the sky beyond the trees so I make my way to a vantage point for a spectacular sunset!
The gentle breeze from earlier has ramped up a bit and the chill is calling me back to camp to get that fire going. On the side I boil some water on my stove and prepare my surprisingly tasty dehydrated chicken and rice meal, then move my bear vault to a safe distance from camp wedged under a downed tree, and return to my hammock to settle in. The breeze is more of a moderate wind now, swaying my cocoon back n forth and rocking me to sleep. Through the course of the night a light rain moves in but my pack is covered outside and I am staying dry in my little nest.
As morning arrives the rain is heavier now. I stay cuddled in my hammock for a while hoping to wait out the showers and have a clearing of the skies. After a while I realize the only thing that is clear is that this is not going to happen any time soon. I pack up my wet camp and prepare for a hike in the rain. I decide to save the Greely pond route for better weather and hike back the way I came instead. Once again, my plans are out the window.
The rain continues to come down throughout my entire descent. It is Monday and most are back at work, but there is one group of three very wet girls making their way to the summit. “How are the views up there?” one of them ask. “Now? Just great!” I reply with sarcastic enthusiasm. “Well it’s better than a day in the office!” another adds. “You got that right!” I answer. “A bad day in the mountains is better than a good day anywhere else!” Then I continue my slow slippery slope downward. Even drenched in rain the woods have a natural beauty to them
After a while I notice a guy coming up the mountain with the biggest load on his back I have seen! Not even a backpack, just 2 boards tied to milk crates and cardboard boxes full of supplies and heavy gear with giant shovels and other tools all strapped to his back! I didn’t know what to make of this and just said “Wow that’s a heavy load!!” Shortly after that another passes with a similar and maybe even bigger load, huffing and puffing and slowly moving one step at a time up the mountain with his arms behind him bracing his massive bulky burden from the bottom. I don’t bother him with small talk as I can see he is focusing intensely on him monumental task. Then a third approaches moving slowly and methodically with his heavy pack. At this point I had to ask “Are you guys doing some kind of training or something?” “We are packing in” he responds. I’m not sure what this means but I don’t ask for further explanation. Suddenly the extra water weight I am carrying seems extremely light.
The rest of the way down is scattered with more of these gifted souls both male and female, some struggling more than others. I figure out that they must be carrying supplies for the trail crews for an extended stay. I have a new appreciation for everything these crews do to make our mountain experience more pleasant and safe. I will be making it a point to at least help out on trails day and give back to this experience in whatever way I can.
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From here forward I would look at the trails with an eye on all that is man-made, drainage ways, trail markers, borders, trees and limbs that have been cleared, ladders, steps and bridges that have been constructed and think of the people that that have put in countless hours of hard labor to have these things in place for us.
I finally come out of the trail drenched with a new confidence in myself, my gear, and my ability to hike in wet conditions, and to spend more nights in the woods. I will look back on this trip fondly always and remember the connections made and lessons learned in the woods.