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The hike was pretty much uneventful until we started to get some views as we approached the summit. The first view to open up was to the south, where I could see Mt Tecumseh and the Waterville Valley ski area not far away. The lack of leaves on the deciduous trees made the lower slopes look drab and brown, while the spruce and fir at higher elevations gave the mountains a dark bluish-green tint.

Soon, the trail ascended the summit cone and we rounded a bend out onto a flat area. The weathered concrete foundations of a now defunct firetower stuck out an unsightly geometric gray from the hard granite.

From there, two or three paths meandered through the scrub to the nearby summit ledges. No one was around. For now, we had the broad open summit area all to ourselves. I sat down leaned against a small boulder to eat lunch - some peanuts and a power bar - and to admire the views east and south.

Looking east, I could see snow-capped Mt Washington and Mt Jefferson on the horizon, with the closer Mts Hancock and Carrigain framing them. North Hancock was easily identifiable by the long scar of the Arrow Slide on its southeast flank.

Mt Tecumseh and the Waterville Valley ski area from the Mt Osceola Trail. Notice how the lack of leaves on the trees makes the lower slopes look drab and brown, while the spruce and fir at higher elevations give the peaks a bluish-green tint.

Muffin next to the foundations of an old firetower just before the summit of Mt Osceola.

Self-portrait on the summit of Mt Osceola. When we first got there, we had the broad open summit area all to ourselves.

Looking east from the summit of Mt Osceola. East Osceola is the hump in the foreground, while snow-capped Mts Washington and Jefferson span the horizon. In between are Mts Hancock (left) and Carrigain (right). The Arrow Slide is clearly visible on North Hancock. You can also see a portion of the Kancamagus Highway at the lower right.

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