| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhacks, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked on paved surfaced Rocky Branch trailhead lot. This lot is plowed after storms. Today it was free from any snow/ice. This is a very large lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Using the bushwhack, we avoided two of the major water crossings on Isolation Trail. The one crossing we had was achievable using ice slathered rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Rocky Branch Trail > bushwhack #1 > Isolation trail > bushwhack #2 > Davis Path > bushwhack #3 > Isolation trail > retraced our steps on bushwhack #1 > Rocky Branch Trail > end.
Rocky Branch Trail: well blazed in yellow to the Wilderness Boundary. Total ice. Spikes recommended for safe travel.
Bushwhack #1*: often referred to as the “Engine Hill bushwhack.†But… we plotted a bearing using map and compass. So we made our own bushwhack. You can follow our footprints or make your own path. Low snow levels today. No snowshoes needed.
Isolation Trail: not blazed for the very short segment we used to move towards/from the “Iso Express.†So much ice. Spikes did great.
Bushwhack #2: desperately needing land navigation practice, we elected to plot our own bearing and follow our own path to Isolation summit rather than hunt down the start of the near herd path of the “Iso Express.†Ironically, we were just feet away from the start of the “Iso Express†when we set off near dead west on our own adventure. We did not see the start of this herd path. It was very faint in the snow. The water crossing presented no issue today. This bushwhack was exhilarating and exhausting. I would encourage snowshoes if traveling on your own adventure tomorrow. The snow was 2-3 feet deep on the slopes of Isolation approaching the summit from the col between Mt. Davis and Isolation. No ice on these slopes.
Davis Path: we intersected this path in the col between the summits of Mt. Davis and Isolation. It was unbroken, 2 foot deep snow until the junction with the Isolation summit spur. The trail is not blazed. I recognized it from prior treks. It was well broken out with much ice from the Spur to the start of the “Iso Express†bushwhack/ herd path. One awesome hiker encountered on this segment.
Bushwhack #3: we elected to find the “Iso Express†rather than retrace our exhausting steps from the prior bushwhack. This bushwhack/ herd path was easily located off the Davis Path now that we had our “path eyes.†We were able to follow the path with relative ease (see footnote below). It really is a nice path. Much better grades. No snowshoes needed today, just spikes as the snow was firm and icy. We were spat out 2 feet from the start of our initial adventure.
Phenomenal views to be had today for those brave enough to take on the wind. Strange warm weather melted much snow on the surrounding landscape that is exposed to sun. Ice was today’s foe.
* Bushwhacks necessitate experience with using a map and compass. Never head out on trail less land without navigational skills. You have been warned. Cell phones/GPS are great, unreliable, back-ups for these fundamental skills. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-12-14 |
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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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