| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lots of parking on this fall weekday. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Five official crossings. Lowest crossing was a bit sketchy but doable. I took the herd path to skip the third and fourth crossings. Fifth was very easy. On the return, I used the Engine Hill bushwhack to skip the first and second crossings as well. Not sure there was a time savings as I kept losing the trail and having to cast about to find it. GPS was necessary. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some bog bridges on Davis that could use replacing. Everything was navigable though. A few herd paths forming around the more egregiously boggy areas. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Only one, who was focused on summiting and dashed right past. |
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 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A beautiful trail the whole way, with lovely golden woods low down, then the stream cascading nearby, pine forest up high, and then up over a few easy ledges to the wide open summit, with spectacular views. (Be sure to continue past the first cairn to the true summit just beyond.) Yes, it's tedious for long stretches, rock-hopping through the streambeds, but there were always enough rocks - my boots came back dry and free of mud. The trail was never steep or difficult, only long and wet. There is an utterly lovely pool below a giant boulder as one ascends the Isolation trail - a definite swimming hole for a hot summer day. At the summit I met up with the couple who had started from the parking lot at the same time as me - with headlamps - named Todd and Cindy. This was their 48th peak - congratulations, and I was so pleased to share that moment with you both! On the return, a male spruce grouse accompanied me for about 50 feet of trail. |
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 | Name: |
NosyKate |
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 | E-Mail: |
fromthestoop@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-10-09 |
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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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