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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Stairs Mountain, Mt. Davis, Mt. Isolation, NH
Trails
Trails: Jericho Road, Rocky Branch Trail, Stairs Col Trail, Davis Path, Stairs Side Trail, Davis Spur, Isolation Spur, Isolation Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, August 28, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: 4th car at 3am at gate. 9 cars on rerun at 10:45. It is 1.75 miles from gate to official Rocky Branch Trailhead. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: I was able to easily rock hop everything today including the 5 major washed-out crossings on the southern end of Rocky Branch Trail, which require great care to follow. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Davis path gets pretty tight/overgrown from time to time and has some serious mud pits approaching Iso from the north. Some blow downs but nothing tough. Rocky Branch South was expectedly very rough with lots of blow downs. If you are paying attention it is not hard to follow although it is definitely trickier than any other trail I’ve been on in the Whites thus far. look for small cairns at the water crossings, which are wide and Shwacky. Last water up stairs Col was at 2700’ and there was a solid water source halfway between stairs and Davis at 3200’ just south of a major knob. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Met Macy who “had a night” on her firs sleep of NOBO cohos hike. Her hiking partner Andy said although being 10 and well-experienced Macy’s first night on trail (bivouacked on ISO summit) was too exciting and she barked, paced, etc. she was excited to see me at 7am and insisted on licking 4-hours worth of sweat from my legs while we all enjoyed the views. Probably the sweetest dog I have ever met on trail. She made me miss Fin terribly and simultaneously realize what an unfriendly bitch she is most of the time to strangers. 
Bugs
Bugs: Ate countless fresh spider webs for 15 miles. No other bugs noted 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: 22-mile lollipop from Jericho road starting at 3am. 1.75 mile road walk to start and end day, despite the road being closed it is in good shape (closed indefinitely since Irene). next two miles to Stairs Col is flat. Last .4 up stairs col is quite steep but not scramble. The low angle Slabs up high are very mossy and naturally slick. A few moderate scrambles on Davis path headed up stairs. Spur path to down look is easy to miss. Got to summit just before sunrise at 5:10. Two guys camping in the designated spot by summit woke up at 5:20 and were surprised to see a sweaty shirtless dude sitting in the dark on the summit. Davis Path had lots of up and down to ISO. Davis summit is incredible. Met cohos hikers Andy and Kurt on Ido summit- saw only a few hikers all morning. Rocky Branch South is really wild. The Irene damage is nuts. cool temps and few people made this a wonderful hike/run.  
Name
Name: Spence 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-08-28 
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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