East Osceola

Trail: Greeley Ponds XC Ski Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

“With a couple of inches of new snow, I opted to park at Greely Ponds TH so as not to obstruct any plows, snowshoes are required on the Greely Ponds XC trails, and I ended up using them from start to finish. I was the only one to do these peaks today. If you start from the normal Osceola TH, you could have barebooted the whole thing today, but with the higher temps tomorrow barebooting is going to result in a lot of deep postholes. There is still no ice on the steep sections, and I had good traction the whole way in my snowshoes, probably the least sketchy winter ascent of this trail I've done. Took the bypass to the chimney (people had done the main route somewhat recently based on the tracks, no thanks) and there is one section that is a little exposed on the bypass which I don't remember from previous times, but there are branches to hold onto. I think maybe some downed trees have blocked the previous bypass route and forces you to join the main trail lower down. There are two options coming from the Greely Pond TH, I went up one way and down the other. I'd suggest taking the left option on the ascent about 200 yds in and then coming down the same way as it seems the other option gets a lot more XC ski traffic and is longer as it meanders a bit.”

Trail: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

“Snow shoes it from the start with 3-4” fresh snow. First mile and half I flew; that last half mile+ was pretty hellish. Slipping and sliding; switched to crampons at the open Mountain View point which helped some. Toughest approach I’ve ever had to a peak with the loose and piles of loose snow gathering from large chucks coming off the trees and bushes. Left the crampons on for the final run to the peak, though could have switched to snowshoes to avoid some drifting. On way down, pretty much no choice except to butt slide. With some melting the. Freezing going on, this situation may improve, but better to hit the trail early while things are solid and holding together. Could use a pickax really if you’ve got one!”

Trail: Greeley Ponds XC Ski Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder

“Mt. Osceola Trail was broken out by 1 or 2 snowshoers from Tripoli Road to Mt. Osceola. After me, it is pretty well broken out now except for the small snowstorm on Tuesday evening. There are significant branches and trees leaning into the trail and obstructing the path. It is pretty slow traveling and I got smacked with a lot of branches in the face. The rest of this route is in excellent shape and right now there is NO exposed ice on the steeps. There is really no need to butt slide, it's all workable with snowshoes, crampons, or maybe very sharp microspikes. Please do not bareboot on Greeley Ponds ski trail... skis and snowshoes only.”