| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Engine Hill, Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhack, Davis Path, Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 15, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was the second car at 6:30, 15 cars when I left at 2:00. Room for a few more. Hundreds of cars overflowing onto the roadside over at Pinkham (skiers). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water was less than a foot deep and not moving too fast. Hopped across carefully testing the snow with my poles. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I trimmed back a few crowns that were in the path, there is one still that is kind of a widow-maker, might require a winch. All in the first mile of trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw one today with a group. |
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 | Bugs: |
No |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a glove and spike bag on trail, left them on the pavement of the parking lot so someone will see them. |
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 | Comments: |
The snow off trail was still good in the morning at 35 degrees. I spiked up to wilderness boundary, then put shoes on and took a bearing for the peak of South Engine Hill. Ended up following tracks in good woods, but the summit jar wasn’t obvious, had to search for it. Last sign in was from 10 days ago. I made my own route back to the HOL where EH BW starts, through some tight woods. A few scratches. EH BW went quick, I even switched back to spikes. Halfway up Iso express I had to put the shoes back on, around 9:00 it was warming up to 50s. I lost the trail here so made my own, just going due west and eventually met up with tracks again. I joined a fellow on the summit in attempting to break out Mt. Davis, but we parted ways and I went back and did another peak not on a list, Rocky Branch Ridge, passing straight over it instead of around it, basically making a straight line back to the parking lot. I got some good views to the east, but not west as I’d hoped. The snow turned to knee deep mashed potatoes on my descent through more thick stuff, tough going but that’s what I came for. I found another nice glade on that side too, and lots of moose sign. Rocky Branch held up good for snowshoes on the way out. |
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 | Name: |
Carl G |
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 | E-Mail: |
calxjohnson@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-15 |
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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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