August 8, 2009
Well the day would be long and the weather was fabulous so I planned a 26+ mile hike.
The plan:
A traverse of the Osceolas before heading up to Tecumseh. After descending Tecumseh over the same route, I'll then do some red lining (new trails) as I go to check out East Pond and Little East Pond before heading back to my truck.
From the highway I had a great view of the Osceolas. I think this was the first time all summer that I had cloud free skies.
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Although I had no human companions today, my canine pal Madison was ready to go!
We hit the trail at 7:30.
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Madison and I made the steep climb up toward East Osceola. It would be a long day, so I was glad I was getting the toughest miles out of the way first.
View on the way up
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Madison on East Osceola
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Looking ahead to Osceola.
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Next we dropped into the col and began our ascent of Osceola. I was a little leery about this. It was here that I lost Madison two years ago. To read about that day click here. To read about the search and rescue mission click here.
Looking back to East Osceola.
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Then I reached the summit of Osceola. More importantly, Maddie made it. She finished the peak she started over two years ago.
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Looking toward Waterville Valley
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Looking north to Mount Washington.
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It took two hours to get here. When hiking solo, I usually don't take a break so soon, but seeing this would be the nicest spot of the day, I took a 15 minute break. Then I made the descent down the other side. This side of the mountain was filled with hikers. When I came out at the parking lot, it was completely full. Next I had my first of 3 road walks as I headed down Tripoli Road. This one was the longest, just a little over a mile. Next we began our assault on Tecumseh.
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Nearing a false summit of Tecumseh.
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The trail drops down quite a bit before heading up to the summit. I've always hiked Tecumseh solo. This was the first time that I didn't have the summit to myself, so I was able to have someone take my picture. Sorry Madison, this peak is a repeat for you (or should I say "It is a repeak").
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The Tripyramids from the summit of Tecumseh.
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My map showed a couple of viewpoints on the Sosman Trail which I had never hiked, so I decided to go check it out.
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Madison on the Sosman Trail
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Here's the first viewpoint.
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The trail dead ends by an antenna and some type of generator.
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But the map was showing a view so I decided to look around a little more. I headed down this road.
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Now this was the view I was looking for as I overlooked the top of the ski slope.
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I enjoyed my 2nd break of the day as I laid on the grass for about 10 minutes. I got back on the Sosman Trail and headed back to Tecumseh. There's the summit, again.
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Back up to the summit we headed before descending the way we came up. Then I had my 2nd and shortest road walk of the day. Now for the East Pond Trail.
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It was just under 6 miles to the highway. Ha! Not the way I was going.
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A half a mile later I came to a trail intersection.
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I wanted to hit all the trails here. The only way to do that was to hike part of this loop a 2nd time. So which way should I go. I decided the same way I decide my most important decisions. Eenie, meenie, minnie, moe. I headed up to East Pond. Just before the pond I came across the junction to Little East Pond. I ditched my pack in the woods and headed up to Little East Pond. Once I got there, Madison enjoyed cooling off.
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I had to fight through a few bushes to find a spot where I could take a picture of the pond.
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Next I took the Little East Pond Trail. The 2nd half of this trail was real smooth. Seeing that I was pack free, I jogged it. I came out at the intersection that I had passed earlier. The next mile was a repeat. I got some puzzled looks from people that were coming down from East Pond.
"Didn't you pass us on the way up?" one of them asked.
"Yes, I did a loop," I said.
Then I got to East Pond. This was a really, really nice spot. There was a tiny beach area with places to sit. I enjoyed my 3rd and final break of the day here. I asked another hiker if she would take my picture. I called for Madison. Instead of coming, she layed down in the water. Some nearby hikers laughed. She was clean now, but I was sure she would find a mudhole between here and the highway.
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In front of East Pond
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It was time to go. Up and over the ridge I climbed, my last major up of the day. This was followed by a long descent out to the Kancamagus Highway. I then had my last road walk of the day. It was a little less than a mile, but all uphill. Who planned this hike anyway? I got back to my truck at 7:15.
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