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The Mount Osceola Trail leads from Thornton Gap on Tripoli Road to Mad River Notch on the Greeley Ponds Trail, passing over the main and East Peak of Mount Osceola. The western half of the trail to the main peak is the graded access to the former fire tower and has a relatively moderate grade although the footway is somewhat rocky, while the eastern half of the trail is rough with several steep sections and tricky spots. Both sections are well-trampled by peakbaggers and others.
Osceola was a Seminole chief of mixed racial background who died in captivity after the second Seminole War. He had no connection to the White Mountains, but misappropriation of Native American names was not uncommon in the 19th Century.
Distance: To Mount Osceola main summit from Tripoli Road, about 3.3 miles one-way
To Mount Osceola main summit from Greeley Ponds Trail, about 2.3 miles one-way
Elevation gain: To Mount Osceola main summit from Tripoli Road, about 2100 feet, nominal on return
To Mount Osceola main summit from Greeley Ponds Trail, about 2400 feet, then 300 feet on return
Maps:
USGS Waterville Valley, Mount Osceola
AMC Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2004-2005 map I-7
DeLorme NHA&G 43-K14 to 44-J1 - Livermore/Lincoln
The trail is E of I-93 between Exits 31 and 32.
Trailhead: Tripoli Road at Thornton Gap, elevation about 2260 feet
N 43.9835, -71.5591 W (WGS84)
WMNF fee site
From Exit 31 of I-93, take Tripoli Road E about 6.7 miles to parking lot on L.
Other End: Greeley Ponds Trail at Mad River Notch, elevation about 2300 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No fires or camping near highway
From Tripoli Road to the main summit: From the parking area, the Mount Osceola Trail ascends the side of Breadtray Ridge with numerous switchbacks. At the end of a switchback at 3.1 miles, an opening in the scrub indicates where the old telephone line came in. (This is the shortest bushwhack access to the West Peak of Osceola: follow the phone line until it drops off L and then continue through scrub to the Mid-West and West peaks.). At 3.3 miles, the summit is reached at a small set of old fire tower footings, where a short path leaves L to a N viewpoint. The main trail descends slightly to the top of a large ledge with newer fire tower footings, offering extensive views to the E.
From Mad River Notch to the main summit: From the Greeley Ponds Trail, the Mount Osceola Trail immediately crosses a ski trail parallel to the Greeley Ponds Trail and ascends near the ridge, then angles L under a set of cliffs and enters the former route of the trail which started at Upper Greeley Pond. It approaches a slide and climbs steeply parallel to it, finally crossing it near the top. The trail climbs steeply on the other side, ascending a gully to the ridge. A more gradual ascent leads to the East Peak at 1.3 miles, where a cairn marks the summit.
The trail descends moderately to the col with the main peak at 1.7 miles, and suddenly begins a steep climb. The rock chimney straight ahead is no longer the official route of the trail, but even the bypass R is tricky in slippery conditions. The trail moderates after reaching a shoulder, and comes out onto the ledge at 2.3 miles. The true summit and path R to the N viewpoint are in the woods just beyond.
Tripoli Road not plowed, gated just E of I-93 and at foot of Livermore Road in snow and mud season. (There are also other gates E and W of the parking area.) Usually the road is open longer from the I-93 end, call the Pemigewasset Ranger District at 603-536-1315 for information. Waterville Valley grooms the E end of the Tripoli Road as a connector in their fee network, with a fee and use restrictions.
Map Notes: The USGS map shows the old route of the trail near Upper Greeley Pond.
Trail leaving col up Osceola [10/03]
Osceola from near E Peak [10/03]
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