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The Osseo Trail leads to the Flume Slide Trail near the summit of Mount Flume, starting from the Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail about 1.4 miles from the Lincoln Woods parking lot off NH Route 112. The lower part of the route is on old logging grades, while the middle and last portions are quite steep. There are no significant brook crossings.
The original route of the Osseo Trail started near the entrance to Loon Mountain ski area and passed over Whaleback Mountain (also called Mount Osseo) on the way to Mount Flume. But the lowest quarter mile of trail was on private land, and rather than try to obtain an easement, the Forest Service closed over 5 miles of trail and built the present trail instead, retaining the now-inappropriate name of Osseo Trail.
Distance: Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail to Flume Slide Trail, about 4.0 miles one way
NH Route 112 to Mount Flume, about 5.5 miles one way
Elevation gain: Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail to Flume Slide Trail, about 2900 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
NH Route 112 to Mount Flume, about 3200 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS Mount Osceola, Lincoln
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-6
DeLorme NHA&G 43-H14/G13 - Lincoln
The trail is located NE of Lincoln, between Exits 32 and 34A of I-93
South End: Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail about 1.4 miles from Lincoln Woods parking lot off NH Route 112, elevation about 1300 feet
Far End: Flume Slide Trail .1 miles below summit of Mount Flume, elevation about 4200 feet
Owner: White Mountain NF
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: No fires or camping within 1/4 mile of Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail
From the Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail, the Osseo Trail follows the brook upstream for .3 miles nearly on the level, then ascends a knoll and comes out on a ridgetop. Looking up to your L (W), the rounded summit with cliffs on the furthest ridge back is Whaleback Mountain (the real Osseo). The trail drops off the bank to an old logging grade, follows it a short distance but climbs when it drops, then enters another old grade which it follows on sidehill for nearly two miles.
After leaving the grade, the trail begins to gain elevation by a series of short switchbacks with stone steps, some of which seem designed for use by professional basketball players. Fortunately the taller steps seem to have bypass routes. Next comes a series of wood staircases, with a sign for a Downlook to the R partway up. After the last staircase, the trail climbs a short distance before coming out at the top of a shoulder about 3.1 miles from the Lincoln Woods Trail. There is now just a slight ascent and even a downgrade to the main ridge, where the trail swings N and enters its old route. A steeper ascent begins and continues .4 miles to the junction with the Flume Slide Trail at 4.0 miles, where the Osseo Trail ends.
The summit of Mount Flume is .1 miles ahead on the Franconia Ridge Trail, with a short ascent in scrub followed by a walk along the brim of a cliff which can be exciting in wet or windy conditions. The summit offers good views in all directions.
Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail groomed for skiing and hiking.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show the new route of the trail. The starting point on the Wilderness Trail is just beyond where the crossing of the unnamed brook is shown, but the brook actually turns there to run parallel and crosses the Wilderness Trail .6 miles below.
Osseo Trail
Ladder Osseo Trail
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