Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Isolation (attempt), NH |
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| Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
One car at 7 am and 2 other cars at 3. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Slush |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
4 crossings on Rocky Branch that took care and time. Rock hoping is doable with trekking poles but because most of the rocks were snow covered you can't be sure if there is ice underneath. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Rocky Branch trail was fine until you get to the Wilderness boundary sign. After that the trails were approximately 35% flowing brooks which you simply walk down or try and step on small rocks sticking up above the water. Your boots better be waterproof. Isolation Trail was covered in about 1 to 2 inches of snow and you are constantly stepping into water, deep mud or breaking through thin ice. There was one good size crawl over on Isolation shortly before you get to the River. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
There weren't any today. The constant water and mud would probably present some issues for dogs. |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
nothing |
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| Comments: |
I saw no one today which given the conditions made perfect sense. This was a hike through a light snow fall along a trail that was difficult (after the wilderness sign). I could not find the Engine Hill bushwack so was on the designated trail the entire time. Right before I would have made the final crossing of the river I gave up and headed back to the car. Probably did a little over ten miles. If I hadn't turned around I would have been hiking the last miles back to the car in near darkness. I never needed to put on traction. My recommendation is to do this trail with others (unlike what I did today) and make sure you can find the bushwack. If the river water gets any higher crossing will be a significant problem. |
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| Name: |
Bruce |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-11-18 |
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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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