| 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: |
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at Rocky Branch Trailhead (off Route 16). The little bit of snow that fell overnight had not been plowed but that was not an issue. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bypassed crossing on Rocky Branch Trail and first crossing on Isolation Trail by taking Engine Hill bushwhack. Bypassed second and third crossings on Isolation Trail by taking short bushwhack. Fourth (final) crossing on Isolation Trail was a reasonably straightforward rockhop. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdowns here and there -- a mix of stepovers, duck-unders, walk-arounds, and at least one crawl under. Signage seemed okay. Davis Path and upper part of Isolation Trail could use some brushing. Under snowcover, it is hard to assess trail footways etc. but some of the Isolation Trail seemed to be a streambed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Microspikes from car to car. Not a lot of ice visible, but some was apparent here and there beneath the skiff of snow which had fallen last night. A fair amount of open water, bare rocks, wet grass, leaves, mud etc. in various locations on the RB Trail and Isolation Trail, even at higher elevations (and in one or two spots on the Davis Path, too). Microspikes frequently balled up due to wet snow and wetness from the areas of open water etc. The little bit of new snow fell onto a very firm base. Past, snow-drifted tracks on Engine Hill bushwhack facilitated following a good line. Carried snowshoes and full crampons, but I was never tempted to use them. As is so often the case at this time of year, "The currently forecasted weather may make this trail report moot," and may well make snowshoes necessary. Met a group of five very nice hikers: No others on this route today. |
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 | Name: |
PeterC |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-15 |
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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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