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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Crawford, Stairs Mountain, Mt. Davis, Mt. Isolation, NH
Trails
Trails: Davis Path, Crawford Spur, Stairs Spur, Davis Spur, bushwhack, Isolation Spur, Isolation Trail, Rocky Branch Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, November 29, 2012
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Ours were the only vehicles today in both lots. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossings beginning to get ice bridges, all stable at this time. Generally easy rock hopping. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Davis Path in good shape for the most part, some eroded sections, and areas that had some ice. No snow to start, increasing to about 1 inch past Isolation. Blowdowns of all kinds along the way, probably about 2 dozen of them, that is until you get near Isolation. I'd estimate about .3 from the summit, the trail disappears into blowdown hell. We zig-zagged through thick spruce and crazy blowdowns, taking 30 minutes to reach the summit of Isolation. Blowdowns continued once we were back on Davis, but they were manageable, and some cutting has been done. The same with Isolation Trail, many blowdowns, but navigable. Long icy sections on Isolation Trail. Rocky Branch had several blowdowns as well, but it was mostly smooth sailing. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: With the higher summits forecast looking grim, a more sheltered hike was planned. It was cold, but we were comfortable, and the wind wasn't much of a factor except on the summits, with the strongest winds of the day on Mt. Davis.

Blowdowns were encountered along the way, but nothing could have prepared us for the blowdown hell we found near Isolation. The trail just disappears into a mass of down trees as far as the eye could see. In hindsight, the trail was to our right as we worked through the blowdowns. It was thick, nasty, and fun as hell, and we ended up popping out on the summit of Isolation after a 30 minute bushwhack.


Davis Path north of Isolation also has many blowdowns near the Isolation East junction, as does Isolation Trail. We should have put on spikes once on Isolation Trail, but we didn't put them on until about 0.8 from Rocky Branch Shelter. Rocky Branch Shelter in rough shape, a tarp over one part of the roof, a few holes in the overhang of the roof... I'd still stay there, but it's definitely seen better days. The light faded and snow started falling as we stopped a while, rested and ate, the last 3.7 would be by headlamp. Tunnel vision as we tramped down to the trailhead, I don't honestly remember the crossings, they weren't any issue that I can remember. The trail was easy enough to follow at night, and we made it back to Mikes truck just shy of 12 hours after we started.


What a day! Coffee and pie at Cabin Fever Restaurant on the way back, yummy.  
Name
Name: Bill Robichaud 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bill.robichaud@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2012-11-30 
Link
Link: https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-montalban-ridge-112912.html 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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