Mount Osceola
Trails
Source: 4,000-Footers Trail Maps
Mount Osceola Trail via Greeley Ponds Trail: Park at the Greeley Ponds Trailhead to begin the 6.1 mile out and back hike rated as difficult. Along the hike, you will climb 2400 vertical feet, and will be rewarded with a fantastic view at the top. You will summit both East Osceola Mountain, as well as Mount Osceola. This is the trail we hiked.
Mount Osceola Summit Trail: Park at the lot on Tripoli Road to begin the 6.1 mile out and back rated as moderate. Along the hike, you will climb 2000 vertical feet. This hike only summits Mount Osceola (summiting East Osceola Mountain turns this out-and-back into an 8.1 mile hike).
Geological History
Being another summit in the White Mountains, Mount Osceola's geological history is consistent with that of the Franconia Ridge:
The White Mountains of New Hampshire were formed about 100 million years ago by magma intrusions. Specifically, the North American plate traveled over the New England hotspot (a volcanic hotspot holding magma), causing widespread eruptions. The cooling of magma underneath formed the granite one sees in the White Mountains today (2).
Additionally, the White Mountains were heavily influenced by the presence of glaciation. As 1/2 mile thick glaciers retreated about 12,000 years ago, they left glacial troughs due to their immense weight. See the picture below to see the smooth valley (1).
Our Findings - May 11, 2021
Wilder taking note of the minerals in the Granite.
Cinder blocks at Osceola's summit display evidence of homo sapien activity. These were previously the bases for the old fire tower, as explained here.
A very cold Christian at Mt. Osceola's summit, noting in his field journal the prevalence of u-shaped valleys.
We were unsure about this sample. At first, we predicted that it was sedimentary, due to the large white chunks. However, after discussion with our sponsor, we concluded it was a type of porphyry. The white parts are most likely feldspar.
This boulder was likely transported and deposited here by a glacier about 14,000 years ago. Today, trees, grass, and lichen have made it their home. Lichens on the rock degrade the minerals.
On our way down, we noticed this very white sample of Granite. This suggests a high prevalence of quartz. Additionally, note the very large mineral sizes (both quartz and hornblende). This rock most likely cooled extremely slowly.
Here, we examine a vein of quartz within an (iron rich) weathering outcropping of granite.
