| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhack, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 19, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot was snow and ice free and nearly half full when we left around 4pm, good to see so many enjoying the last day of winter. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
We bushwhacked around most of the water crossings, only crossing Rocky Branch Brook once. Though the rocks were icy, crossing was not difficult. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were a couple of downed trees on Rocky Branch Trail within the first mile near the road. We move a couple out of the trail on our way out. There were the typical leaning trees over Isolation Trail that needed to be crawled under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
On this last day of winter three of us trekked out to Isolation to W48 bag it in Spring-like conditions. There were a couple of groups ahead of us, but we caught up to them on Engine Hill bushwhack. It was the first time for us on the bushwhack but the route seemed higher up the ridge than I expected. While the group was looking for an old bushwhack trail we pushed on ahead of dropped down toward the brook a bit more and found an old trail to follow. By the time we hit the Rocky Branch Brook we were further north than the traditional bushwhack so we decided to head up the trail. We crossed the brook and then bushwhacked around the other water crossings until we hit the trail again (nailed it directly after the last water crossing). We followed the trail the rest of the way to Isolation. The trails were mostly crusty ice under an inch of powder that fell overnight. We barebooted the whole way up and wore microspikes down until we hit leaves and mud. For all who try the 'whack tomorrow know that it probably isn't the most traditional route and doesn't go directly up to Isolation but follows Isolation Trail after the brook crossings. I will have a full trail report on the blog, but I'm a bit behind so don't expect it shortly. |
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 | Name: |
maine-wanderlust.com |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-03-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://maine-wanderlust.com |
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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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