| 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: |
Friday, February 9, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the large, paved, plowed lot for Rocky Branch Trail trailhead. Kiosk, no privy. Very icy this morning, no issue upon my return at 1pm. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The one water crossing just before the “Iso Express” bushwhack is 90% ice/snow bridged. It was completely possible to keep feet dry. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dog did fine. Water crossing no issue for him. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Rocky Branch > Engine Hill bushwhack > Isolation trail for 60 feet > Iso Express bushwhack > Davis Path > Iso summit spur > and back the way I came.
Rocky Branch: blazed in yellow to the wilderness boundary line, then no blazes. I took this trail to the intersection with the Engine Hill bushwhack. I was able to use spikes on this trail both in the early morning and mid afternoon. Nice, compacted trench. Water points still open.
Engine Hill bushwhack: well broken out, well compacted. I elected to use snowshoes, but my new trail friend used spikes without issue. No postholing.
Iso trail: well compacted for the short segment we were on this trail.
Iso Express bushwhack: I emphasize that a bushwhack is a bushwhack. Please have requisite equipment to deal with land navigation. This trail was well broken out and very compacted. I elected to employ snowshoes. My new hiking partner used spikes and did not post hole. Brutus, the dog, could have cared less what we wore. He rocked that snow side walk like a Metallica concert back in the 90s. Well, aside from the pyrotechnics… Anyway, it was a nicely laid track.
Davis Path: not blazed. Super compacted snow side walk. Again, I used snowshoes.
Iso Spur: surprisingly no ice. Not sure how this is possible… But nice firm, compacted snow to the summit. I stayed in snowshoes as they are more comfortable for me. I recommend traction for those uncomfortable with steep grades on snow. It is a super short segment anyway.
Iso, 10/12 iterations and this was probably the smoothest trail I’ve ever encountered. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-09 |
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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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