| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch; Davis Path; Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 12, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
On the ascent, we used the first crossing, which required quite a "jump" in order to rock hop across. On the return trip, we crossed a 0.1 mi. upstream and found a more welcoming arrangement of rocks to hop across. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Rocky Branch was its usual dry on the west flank, and super rocky, wet and soggy on its upper reaches. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We took a new and interesting bushwhack for me and most in the group (although a few in the group had done this before)... bushwhacking from just north of the first crossing directly up to the Davis / Isolation Col, then following the Davis Path north for the short remaining hike. What a fun time and interesting woods. There was snow on the ground, but no bogs or super troublesome areas. Our line up was a bit more southerly than we had planned, but it landed us in an open bald ledgey spot with low plants and blueberry bushes just SE of the col (NE of Davis); and the views from here were delightful.
This Isolation Spur could be ascended without traction... but safer with traction, and due to the ice, we all used traction to get off the summit.
On the descent from the col, we followed the topography and drainage to an extent, and it brought us about 500' south of the second crossing. Being well upstream of the first crossing, we were able to spot a super safe crossing (if you look at the map, the crossing "lines" up with the Rocky Branch Trail, just before its "jog" south to the first crossing). Once across the river safely, we bushwhacked a tenth of a mile back to the last left turn in the trail, thereby avoiding another icy section of trail and elevation gain.
The trails are icy from travel... and having light traction was all that was needed. Didn't feel like December! |
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 | Name: |
Damselfly |
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 | E-Mail: |
btzimr at gmail dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-12-13 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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