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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Isolation, NH
Trails
Trails: Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhack, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 16, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking area plowed and easily accessible. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Our only significant crossing was the 5th crossing of Rocky Branch. It was bridged but it caved in - partially. Cross with caution on the bridged section. Some of the tributaries are a bit shaky as well. 3rd and 4th crossing of Rocky Branch appear solidly bridged - but we did not test them.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: It would be helpful if this trail was blazed - but it is not. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Terrific job by Pepper today. He handled the deep snow, crossings and many spruce traps - all with panache. Trails are now in pretty good shape for canines.  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: See RollingRock's report from March 15. Thank you to that team for breaking the trail to Engine Hill. Our team - John&Pepper, Marty and myself - were delighted by your work.

The tracks from the trailhead to the start of the Engine Hill bushwhack does not exactly follow the trail all the way - but it works. This section can now easily be bare-booted or traveled with light traction.

After a few hundred yards of the EH bushwhack we were in trail-breaking mode. 12-18" and frequently more. We set the trail relatively high over the hill but came down a little early on the Isolation Trail. However, we were mostly trying to avoid spruce traps and thick stuff. And we did that for the most part.

Shortly after the 5th crossing we met Dan M (the solo hiker mentioned by Rolling Rock) hiking out (we did not see his tracks hiking in). We followed his tracks to Mt. Isolation - which means bushwhacking to Davis Path shortly after the 5th crossing.

Delighted to meet Pat (aka "Bombadil") on the way out.

A big thank you to John, Pepper and Marty for helping me complete the SSW NE67.  
Name
Name: LongMark 
E-Mail
E-Mail: perfrost@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-03-16 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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