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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Isolation, NH
Trails
Trails: Rocky Branch trail, Isolation trail east, Davis Path, Isolation spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Took all five main crossings of Rocky Branch, rock hopable though poles were a help in places. No issues with the smaller ones 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Some large blowdowns on the main climb on Rocky Branch including one large annoying one with multiple branches that requires creativity to get around - smaller ones on the other trails but nothing terrible for wilderness standards. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Hannah had a good day - she's done many shoulder season hikes and handled the ice and terrain very well, even if she wasn't thrilled with the river-in-the-trail section of Rocky Branch - still plenty of open water for dogs the whole hike 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Thick leaves down low obscuring rocks and roots. Small patches of snow and ice started on the upper climb of Rocky Branch (2400-2500'?), nothing too bothersome until just past the wilderness boundary sign - I put rock spikes on here cause I move much faster with them and left them on until the same spot on the way down, though some people could manage without for a while longer. Ice became thicker and more consistent past the height of land, still plenty of open water in the trail heading down to the junction but no more difficult than usual. Dry rocks for all the big crossings. Only 1-2" of snow until just before Davis Path, bit more from there to the summit, trees were also covered for a more winter-like feel. Stayed on the trails all day except for the by-pass around the 3rd and 4th crossings on the way down - saw some tracks headed into the Engine Hill bushwhack, didn't check how far in they went and we didn't see any tracks coming out on Isolation trail - also saw recent tracks on Davis Path headed north from the Isolation trail junction and south from the summit spur. Only saw three people, all on Davis Path. Another challenging November hike but we were treated to lots of sun, fantastic summit views and very little wind. Thanks Tim and Hannah for a great day!  
Name
Name: Hikes with Hannah 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-11-17 
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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