| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhack, Isolation Trail, bushwhack, Davis Path, Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, February 5, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking, plowed lot, icy in spots |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One snow-bridged crossing and some small step-overs |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There was an overgrown section a few miles up the Rocky Branch trail, just before Engine Hill. A few branches in the face. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
My two dogs had a great day! No issues. |
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 | Bugs: |
Nope |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Get it now!
If you need Isolation for winter, for February, or just in general, I can’t imagine better conditions. The trail is a hard-packed sidewalk, and the bushwhacks are established and easy to follow (reducing mileage from 14 to 11ish and reducing water crossings from 5 to 1).
The first time I did Isolation in winter years ago, it was an ordeal, getting together a big group to break trail for 7 miles and route-find an unpacked Engine Hill bushwhack. This trip was a breeze by comparison, and the conditions should be stable for another day or two, until warmer weather softens things up or snow falls and blows in the tracks.
The start of the Engine Hill bushwhack is well-marked with a “T” chopped into a tree, and the track was obvious and not blown-in. After popping back out onto the Isolation trail, we were surprised to encounter a second bushwhack shortly up the trail that cut down the stream bank to the left. It looked more well-worn, so we went for it and it cut a straight line to the summit ridge. The stream crossing was adequately bridged, and this route bypassed the additional crossings, which was nice. We put sticks on the ground pointing an arrow in the direction of this second bushwhack.
I ascended in snowshoes because I like my televators; my friend was fine in spikes. Nothing was icy. No issues with crossings or blowdowns. The most grown-in part of the trail was along the Rocky Branch trail; the established bushwhacks were clear of branches, cruising through open woods.
This was #33/48 for my dog Laney! She and my other dog Baxter had a great time. I felt lucky to tag this remote peak in such easy conditions. |
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 | Name: |
Liz Medford |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.lizexplores.com |
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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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