| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation (attempt), NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Glen Boulder Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 5, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Glen Ellis lot closed for snow |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
one major crossing on way up and several more on way down. Whole mountain is shedding water into raging streams |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
large trees across trail at start |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
none |
|
 | Bugs: |
flies, mosquitos and others |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
none |
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|
 | Comments: |
May 2, snow shoes after .4 miles to alpine area above tree-line. Quite a workout but better than all the postholes I passed. Rocks and trail to Glen Boulder was ok. From the Boulder to top of Alpine trail fine except for blue ice in narrow spot on curves. Camped at 4400'. windy night.
May 3. Headed into woods on snowshoes. 4-6'packed snow but trees narrowed up and fighting thruough branches, etc. After 2 hrs it was getting impossible and really wanted a chainsaw. Could see Slide Peak but it would be some time tomorrow before I would get through the forest. Decided to backtrack to campsite and rethink options. Decided to head back down. Got off the alpine zone and put on micro-spikes for the snowpack. Slow going and the snow really going away. started postholing a lot and lost track of how many times i was in the water. Finally swithched back to snowshoes. It helped but still postholed with snowshoes. that is a trick getting out. Water crossing were many and huge and a chore to cross. If one goes in they would find you at the mountains' base. Switched back to micro-spikes but got too late in day. Camped out on side of hill in sort of a clearing.
May 4, Rocks slippery and glad for spikes. Slow and easy and the turtle finally won the race.
Summary: trail to Alpine area below glen boulder is getting worse as the snow melts and the streams become rivers. should wait till snow melts and watershed is less. the alpine zones are fine. the woods below Slide Peak and a major obstacle right now with the snow pack............unless you have a chain saw.
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|
 | Name: |
Rod MacKay |
|
 | E-Mail: |
rrmackay@maine.rr.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-05-05 |
|
 | 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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