| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 16, 2010 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossings on first part of Rocky Branch Trail were minor and easily hopped. Bushwhack avoided first four Rocky Branch-Isolation Trail crossings. Fifth crossing was a bit tricky (and trickier on the way back), but doable on slightly submerged rocks, 20 feet downstream. Isolation Trail above there was essentially a brook for a good half mile or so. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some big blowdowns on all trails. We removed a few blowdowns on the Davis Path and Isolation Trail on the way back. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Some dogs may not like the loud, rushing Rocky Branch crossing, or trying to hop up the Isolation Trail brook. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies out in the lower elevations. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a GPS unit in birch glade. |
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 | Comments: |
Rocky Branch Trail to the first height of land was generally pretty dry. From there to the height of land (3,100') was somewhat muddy. Engine Hill bushwhack was pretty soggy via the more popular route. We found that 3,300-3,400 was much better, and we popped onto the Isolation Trail just before the final water crossing. A few tiny patches of snow up to that point. Starting at that crossing (crossing 5 if using the trail route), there was consistant snow where the trail wasn't flooded. The trail was generally flooded, until it started to climb to the campsite. Somewhat rock hoppable, as well as snowbank hoppable, but pretty sloppy nonetheless. We were the first ones perhaps since January to head up the trail proper to the campsite, as it had been blocked off in lieu of the bushwhack. We blocked off the bushwhack. Davis Path was generally snowcovered, with some open and muddy areas. Isolation Spur was snow covered for the first half. We made it out and back today without using our snowshoes, however if things continue to soften up (as they were this afternoon), snowshoes would likely be necessary. Depths starting at the water crossing range from 1-4 feet. Heard that Davis Path north toward Glen Boulder is a mess and very slow going. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21 at franklinwebpublishing dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2010-05-16 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/NewHampshire/mtisolation-2010-0516.php |
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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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