| 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, December 6, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Our crossing choice at the start of Iso Express is snow bridged but I would cross with care. It goes over a few large rocks on a flatter section of river although the bank climb up is steep. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Three of us broke out Isolation today via both Engine Hill and Iso Express bushwhacks. At the start there was about 5-6" of new powdery snow, and I'd guess 10-12" above 3k ft. but with significant drifting due to the high winds it's hard to tell exactly. As we entered the larger birch glades of Engine Hill BW we encountered an extremely large bull moose bedded down about 40 yards from us. He appeared more startled than us and stood up quickly, we backed off and watched to see what he would do. After a minute he decided to head down in the direction Isolation trail, once we felt he was well on his way we continued and went a bit higher to give space. After the excitement we found that we tapered slightly low below 3200ft, found some conifers but nothing thick, and poked out on trail around 3100ft. We continued on Isolation Trail for about .25 mi., then headed down to cross the river and up Iso Express. Our path wasn't perfect but it's a good line up to the drainage. However, once high up nearing Davis path we had to get a little creative. The blowdown clusters, snow-bowed trees, and massive chest deep drifts covering them made this last few tenths a brutal suffer-fest. Davis Path and the spur were also heavily drifted. We tagged the summit and followed our tracks back. Initially planning to track out Engine Hill at the 3200ft contour to then rejoin our tracks a little ways in, but we were all spent so we chose the path of least resistance.
Snowshoes will be required for the foreseeable future here. Good luck to anyone heading out. You can find my track in the Strava link for reference, and a short video Emily took of the drifting high up on Express. |
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 | Name: |
Kyle L, E.T. Fudge & Sean |
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 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-12-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/13061393061 |
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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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