September 13, 2008 Hike #2
After a quick visit to the Mountain Wanderer store in Lincoln, I returned for hike #2. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in hike #1, I didn't have my camera today. I've hike the Osceolas twice before. Both times with so so weather. Today was beautiful, and I didn't have my camera. I'll recycle a few photos.
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Bog bridging
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The trail was very easy up to the trail junction.
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The trail got steeper and steeper.
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Looking down to one of Greeley Ponds.
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How's this for steep?
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Looking ahead to Mount Osceola. Again, this is a recycled photo, the weather was absolutely gorgeous today.
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I reached the 4156' summit of East Osceola and proceeded to Osceola which was another mile away. A while later I reached the
4340' summit of Osceola. The summit which I was told was crowded earlier in the day, now only had two hikers on it. A moment later they left giving me the summit to myself. The weather was perfect so I got to fully enjoy the view from this summit for the first time. I called Lynn to give her an update.
"I have good news and bad news," I said. "The weather is perfect, but I forgot my camera. Could you see if I left it on my desk?"
"Yep, it's there," she said.
"Could you push it through the phone?" I kidded.
"I wish I could," she said.
On the return trip I got a good view of the moose. I know, I didn't have my camera so where is the proof? Living in Maine for 8 years I've seen lots of moose in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, but I usually see them by the road in the early morning or late evening. It's fairly rare to see one on the trail. The woods were thick so the bull moose stayed right on the trail ahead of me. He wouldn't let me get too close, nor did I want to. I followed the moose for about 10 minutes. As I and Mr. Moose dropped in elevation the woods changed from the tight spruce and pine to open hardwood. He then decided it was time to leave the trail. I continued on without him reaching the parking lot at dusk. My truck was the only vehicle left. I guess I was the last man on the mountain today.
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