Mount Osceola via Greeley Ponds Trail in White Mountain National Forest, NH

Hike Mount Osceola via Greeley Ponds Trail White Mountain National Forest, NH

Class 3 7.4 miles 3100 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jul 7, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Osceola via Greeley Ponds Trail GPX Track

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Mount Osceola and Mount Osceola East Peak are two peaks on the NH White Mountain 4000fters list, and they are most commonly accessed from Tripoli Road since that's an easier approach. I was more interested in coming from the north by taking the Greeley Ponds Trail since I learned the ascent had some nice scrambling and I could also check out Greeley Ponds on the way back. This direction also provided easier access since it's right off the highway. The hike described here is more difficult than the other approach, but even if coming from the easier Tripoli Road approach, hikers who want to reach both Osceola peaks must scramble a short Class 3 move at the saddle separating the two peaks.

I started south through typically beautiful White Mountains forest, slowly gaining elevation on the rocky Greeley Ponds Trail. There were a few little creek crossings along the way, but otherwise it was an initially uneventful walk. I reached a junction with the Mount Osceola Trail, which led west and almost immediately became choked with boulders. My legs were laughably tired after pushing myself, but suddenly realizing the nature of the trail to come, I grew a bit more excited. After a short and tamer portion, the Mount Osceola Trail began climbing more steeply, boulders a natural part of the hike and requiring an occasional hand to navigate the obstacles. A low-angled headwall provided a fun Class 2 scramble with Greeley Ponds below as a backdrop. More boulder-hopping persisted until the slope mellowed out and led to the viewless summit of Mount Osceola – East Peak.

I continued down more steep bouldery terrain along the trail to the saddle with Mount Osceola, great views toward the taller peak visible along the way. Mount Osceola's rocky south face was impressive. I reached what's known as the "chimney" at the saddle, a short Class 3 scramble to overcome a small headwall. I noticed a slightly easier option to the right, possibly still Class 3. Both scramble options lead to the same spot higher up, where the trail continues gradually up to the summit of Mount Osceola. Here there were some fantastic views from the top of the cliff band that wraps around the mountain's face. The panoramic, treeless view allowed for visibility into the valley below as well as toward many of the White Mountains summits surrounding me.

On my way back I decided to check out Greeley Ponds, but I only made it to the upper pond since mosquitos swarmed me with vigor. There's a nice trail leading to the lower pond and beyond when conditions are less conducive to the breeding of these little flying devils.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Osceola - East Peak
4156 ft
316 rise
2
Mount Osceola
4320 ft
2000 rise

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Starting along the Greeley Ponds Trail.
Starting along the Greeley Ponds Trail.
A creek crossing shortly into the hike.
A creek crossing shortly into the hike.
The Greeley Ponds Trail slowly gains elevation as it leads through pretty forest.
The Greeley Ponds Trail slowly gains elevation as it leads through pretty forest.
A boardwalk presumably in place for when the ground gets muddy.
A boardwalk presumably in place for when the ground gets muddy.
Another creek crossing.
Another creek crossing.
Junction with the Mount Osceola Trail.
Junction with the Mount Osceola Trail.
The Mount Osceola Trail is very rocky, large boulders slowing down progress.
The Mount Osceola Trail is very rocky, large boulders slowing down progress.
Tamer portion of the trail.
Tamer portion of the trail.
Then the Mount Osceola Trail starts to climb more steeply.
Then the Mount Osceola Trail starts to climb more steeply.
The Mount Osceola Trail ascends in this manner for some time.
The Mount Osceola Trail ascends in this manner for some time.
Image 10 from gallery
Very bouldery.
Very bouldery.
View back as I progress along the Mount Osceola Trail.
View back as I progress along the Mount Osceola Trail.
Image 13 from gallery
A switchback higher up.
A switchback higher up.
Close-up down toward Greeley Ponds on the way up.
Close-up down toward Greeley Ponds on the way up.
The trail emerges into this small treeless section. The route leads up the face on the right, Class 2.
The trail emerges into this small treeless section. The route leads up the face on the right, Class 2.
View down the face.
View down the face.
More ascending on the rocky Mount Osceola Trail.
More ascending on the rocky Mount Osceola Trail.
Finally, the trail leads to a move at the top of an eroded gully, seen above, marking the top of the steep section.
Finally, the trail leads to a move at the top of an eroded gully, seen above, marking the top of the steep section.
View back down the eroded move.
View back down the eroded move.
Onward to Mount Osceola East Peak.
Onward to Mount Osceola East Peak.
The trail is still very pretty, and far less steep.
The trail is still very pretty, and far less steep.
Mount Osceola East Peak, nothing really to see here.
Mount Osceola East Peak, nothing really to see here.
Descending from Mount Osceola East Peak to the saddle with Mount Osceola.
Descending from Mount Osceola East Peak to the saddle with Mount Osceola.
A viewpoint of Mount Osceola ahead.
A viewpoint of Mount Osceola ahead.
Progress down to the saddle.
Progress down to the saddle.
I reached the Mount Osceola chimney move, seen left. An easier option is available on the right here. Both lead to the same place.
I reached the Mount Osceola chimney move, seen left. An easier option is available on the right here. Both lead to the same place.
Close-up of the Class 3 chimney move used to get up to Mount Osceola.
Close-up of the Class 3 chimney move used to get up to Mount Osceola.
View back down the Class 3 chimney move.
View back down the Class 3 chimney move.
View back toward Mount Osceola East Peak as I make my way to Mount Osceola.
View back toward Mount Osceola East Peak as I make my way to Mount Osceola.
It's a pleasant hike up a relatively light grade to the summit.
It's a pleasant hike up a relatively light grade to the summit.
The trail continues along the ridge. A bit before the summit, this is a shot back toward the East Peak.
The trail continues along the ridge. A bit before the summit, this is a shot back toward the East Peak.
Mount Osceola seen ahead through the trees.
Mount Osceola seen ahead through the trees.
Mount Osceola summit, view southeast toward Mount Osceola East Peak.
Mount Osceola summit, view southeast toward Mount Osceola East Peak.
Close-up toward Mount Osceola East Peak.
Close-up toward Mount Osceola East Peak.
Mount Osceola summit, view southwest.
Mount Osceola summit, view southwest.
A quick detour to check out Greeley Ponds.
A quick detour to check out Greeley Ponds.
Upper Greeley Pond. The mosquitos were so bad that I didn't venture to the lower pond, oh well.
Upper Greeley Pond. The mosquitos were so bad that I didn't venture to the lower pond, oh well.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!