| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur, bushwhacks |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 20, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues parking |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only one water crossing for us and we had no issues crossing. Granted, we picked our own adventure. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few large blowdown, 20" saw or axe worthy along RB and on Iso East |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A david bowie huskie was out enjoying the day, and quite proud of his sticks. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A FINE day to get lonely. It brings me immense joy to finally get to use the term 'fresh tracks.' Conditions on the way out wildly varied then the way in, so I will only say we started early to get in on the good snow/ice before the sun had its way. We opted to utilize the Engine Hill whack and actually ran into three fellow gridders almost immediately upon entering. It is still early for it. I laid fresh tracks along the 3260-3300 contour lines through about 3" of fresh snow. It hits several glades and is generally decent only losing about 140 feet. I will say I opted for some 'abrupt chaos' and opted to go on a sight seeing tour about 3/4 the way through and went on my own adventure. If you want to correct it, float up instead, if not, its a bushwhack... We then hopped over and ascended via the Isolation Express whack, or my version of it. Lovely woods where found and a great time was had. About the same snow depth (3-4") was found along this route. Drifts 6-8" if you want to be melodramatic. Lots of bullet ice was found on Davis as well as the isolation spur. We where on the summit for about 45 minutes enjoying a windless blue sky day. Spikes from summit to the sidehill section on RB. Snow on Iso West on the way out was mainly compacted, but full blown ankle breaker. Snow on Engine Hill was soft and melting in the sun. Several opportunities still to go up to your knee in mud, it hasnt froze up yet. And on Rocky, it was compact/icy until the side hill section. After that it was fine bare boot, and about 1.5 miles from the car it was just lovely ankle breaker leaves covering everything. Tedious. The beer at the car made up for it. Congrats Jill on finishing November and Isolation. An arduous accomplishment. |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat & Kiwi |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-11-20 |
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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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