| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur, bushwhacks |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 6, 2010 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Rocky Branch lot is plowed |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
last crossing on Rocky Branch is snowbridged and solid |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Davis Path is a continual path of bendovers |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found...adventure |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Rocky Branch Trail was tracked with windblown snow and easy to follow until 2850'. At that point, the previous hikers had turned around. From this point on, Sunshine, Peter, and I broke trail. We followed what looked like a trail to 2900' but missed the NW angle of Rocky Branch. We continued W to 3075' then angled due N to Engine Hill. Intersected with RB and easily found the marked tree that indicates the Engine Hill BW. We turned right, and angled up to the spectacular birch glades, and followed the contour at 3200' navigating the easiest route through thick spruces and very deep snow. Ted and Jordan joined us and helped break trail. Intersected with Isolation Trail at 3300' and bushwhacked along the east side of the river to the last crossing at 3425' which remained untracked, snowbridged, and firm. By now, 3 young men joined us to help with trail breaking. They forged ahead to the junction with Davis Path. There is now a jumble of confusing tracks at the campsite. The 3 young bucks headed N to Davis Path for Isolation, while our party of 5 headed S to Davis Path for Isolation. Once we found the trail leading from the campsite, we pushed, shoved, crawled, and laughed our way through a continual affront of snow laden bendovers and deep snowdrifts that tried to hide the trail with every step. The 3 younger men rejoined us for the last push to the Spur Path. The sign here is visible, sitting a foot above the snow. Isolation was very windy and cold, but had its usual spectacular views. We summited at 2:50pm. Exit was quick on a nicely tracked trail, but we still needed headlamps for the last mile. |
|
 | Name: |
Daisy |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2010-03-08 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
