| 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: |
Sunday, April 20, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Super easy - tons of space. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I took the Engine Hill bushwhack, so as to avoid water crossings #1 and #2. Crossings #3, #4, and #5 were progressively easier. I used hiking poles for balance and push-off, and wore mountaineering snowshoes with agressive crampons that grabbed the rocks in the stream, and dealt with having my boots submerged about 4 inches in running water to make it work. My dog wondered what was taking me so long, every time. I came across three other groups of hikers, and they were all stymied by the water crossings. They are dicey, yes, but doable with a willingness to have your feet submerged a few inches in the water, and with a confidence of being able to move from rock to rock. Microspikes would be a liability, since the spikes can move independently of your boot sole - my snowshoes' crampons were tight with my boot soles, so I could count on them for traction. This is the make or break point of this hike, right now. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of blow downs, lean overs, etc. Ugh. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
My dog loved it and made it look easy. From what I heard, a dog with another hiker was not a fan of wading through 2 feet of running frigid water. Be sure that your dog doesn't mind getting wet. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I took the Engine Hill bushwhack, so as to avoid the first two water crossings. It was tricky trying to stay on the bushwhack. As long as you can see the faint outlines of a wannabe monorail, and can channel your inner trail whisperer, you'll be fine [bushwhacks are not trails]. Be warned, though, there is a swampy stretch with serious mud - it sucked my foot down to mid-shin, and that was while wearing a 30-inch mountaineering snowshoe! Yowza. Crazy spring conditions. Oh, I could not find the ISO Express to go up, but coming down, if you want to take it, the start of it is readily apparent in the col just below the summit, and tracked out. |
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 | Name: |
rox-nh |
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 | E-Mail: |
rox-nh@comcast.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-04-20 |
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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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