| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, Stairs Col Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, June 12, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Dropped at car at the northern terminus in Pinkham Notch, and another at the parking area for Jericho Road |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Forded one of the first major crossings after Stairs Col junction in our shoes, no easier way to do it. Also forded (waded really) the crossing at Isolation East/Rocky Branch junction. All other tributaries and crossings on Rocky Branch were hoppable, perhaps with the risk of a wet toe. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Ravenous. Desperate. Relentless. Bug nets hardly ever came off! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a set of black diamond trekking poles at Jericho parking area. |
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 | Comments: |
Some big boxes to check off today! First chunk of Rocky Branch to shelter #1 was breezy. Bugs were rough, but the road walk went quickly. Climbed up the old washed out bridge at the original parking area and we were on our way! We were surprised to find the road in much better shape past the current gate than expected. Shelter #1 is in fantasic shape, and the bugs were mysteriously minimal here. Stairs Col trail was good down low, rough and rugged past the wilderness boundary. A lot of running water on the trail, slick rocks and slabs closer to the actual Col. We skipped the peak to save ourselves for the remaining 8 miles; the clouds and wildfire haze were also very limiting. Decided to go back the 20yards to the shelter with no bugs to eat lunch...worth it!
Continuing onto Rocky Branch, it starts out nice and quickly deteriorates once you enter Irene land. Route finding definitely proved to be challenging in some places where log jams and major washouts took down any kind of marking. River crossings are marked by cairns, some of which have been lost with winter melts and major rains. Couple of random signs with arrows here and there, otherwise you’re in wilderness land and good luck. A lot of reroutes on this stretch as well where the original trail was wiped out. Some that look like they’re lying to you, but they aren’t. They’re really helping out unless you want to swim. We encountered a defensive spruce grouse at one point, but she backed down eventually.
Reaching the junction with Isolation East trail we made the choice to wade across the river as we were. Just as well, Rocky Branch heading back out to route 16 was a river until we reached height of land. Breezed our way through the usual muck pits and swamps on the last chunk back to the parking lot.
Those bugs were vicious. Eau de deet didn’t keep them away for long either...if at all! |
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 | Name: |
bria, danielle |
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 | E-Mail: |
breahmaria@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-06-12 |
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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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