Mount Osceola Trail
To Mount Osceola, East Osceola · New Hampshire
Mount Osceola Trail is a trail in the Sandwich Range and Waterville Valley, climbing about 2,400 ft from the Greeley Ponds Trail and Ski Trail junction to Mount Osceola Trailhead.
Map length
5.0 mi
Climb from the low end
2,394 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 41 min / 3 h 41 min
High point
4,315 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
2,951 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1 (1 ford)
Low point
2,289 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Mount Osceola Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Greeley Ponds Trail and Ski Trail junction (the lower end) to Mount Osceola Trailhead.
- 0.0Greeley Ponds Trail and Ski Trail junction
- 0.0Mad River Notch
- 1.3East Osceola
- 2.2Mount Osceola
- 3.0Fords a stream
- 5.0Thornton Gap
- 5.0Mount Osceola Trailhead
Distances and book times (map miles)
To East Osceola
1.26 mi (total 1.26) · ↑1,856 ↓2 ft · 1 h 34 min / 38 min
To Mount Osceola
0.94 mi (total 2.20) · ↑505 ↓350 ft · 43 min / 39 min
To Mount Osceola Trailhead
2.77 mi (total 4.97) · ↑26 ↓2,035 ft · 1 h 24 min / 2 h 24 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greeley Ponds Trail and Ski Trail junction | East Osceola | 1.26 | 1.26 | 1,856 / 2 ft | 1 h 34 min / 38 min |
| East Osceola | Mount Osceola | 0.94 | 2.20 | 505 / 350 ft | 43 min / 39 min |
| Mount Osceola | Mount Osceola Trailhead | 2.77 | 4.97 | 26 / 2,035 ft | 1 h 24 min / 2 h 24 min |
↑ walking from Greeley Ponds Trail and Ski Trail junction; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Mount Osceola Trailhead
Off Tripoli Road · Parking fee · Winter: gated
Weekends (all seasons): Full in 5 of 6 reports, as early as 6:30 am; others found space as late as 6:10 am.
Weekdays (all seasons): Full in 2 of 7 reports, as early as 10:30 am; others found space as late as 4 pm.
Latest report, Tue, Sep 29: Nearly empty, then plenty of room.
Summit conditions
Today's conditions report2 incidents recorded on this trail: Mount Osceola safety record
Recent trip reports
3 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 2. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Tue, Sep 29MudWet
Water crossings: All are easy crossings. It was really nice to both hear and see water flowing finally.
Full report on NETC - Sun, Sep 20MudWetDry
Water crossings: Nothing to note, all easy to cross without getting wet. I was back to my vehicle before rain picked up late this morning so crossings may be different tomorrow depending on how much rain fell.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 19WetDry
Water crossings: All in good shape, even the Greeley Pond crossing that was problematic 6 weeks ago.
Full report on NETC - Wed, Aug 26WetDry
Water crossings: Only the first little crossing even had water. All the others were dry.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Aug 15MudWetDry
Water crossings: All crossings, even those of the Swift River and Sawyer River, were relatively easy rock hops. Attribute this to the relatively dry conditions in 2026.
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
64 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 64 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
32°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 32°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.