| 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, April 7, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
no issues |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One crossing at the beginning of the Iso Xpress bushwhack - rock step/hopable; lots of big rocks for this crossing, just watch the smaller ones closer to the water as some had glaze ice on them, test before you step/hop! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Within the first mile or so of Rocky Branch Trail, there is one big hanger and two big blowdowns partially / fully on trail as well as a few other smaller leaners / stepovers up a little higher. Other than these and the long standing drainage issues on RB, everything else was ok. Of course a loy of this route is on bushwhacks so not a lot of "on trail" time. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
For it being Spring and April, conditions were pretty good overall on this route today. I set my expectations a little lower this time of year! The usual mix of bare ground, wet / muddy trail, patches of ice /snow, open drainages down low progressing to full snow coverage up higher, until it's not and then it is again! The Open / mushy areas with poor drainage are there in all the usual spots. Right now all can be stepped over or stepped through on rocks without getting feet wet. The marshy part at the beginning of the EH BW is losing snow cover and opening up, but you can still skirt the edges ok. The track for EH BW appears to be a little better laid out this month than when I was last here this winter - much less meandering and comes out higher on Isolation Trail. Iso Xpress BW also on a slightly better track than my last visit staying a bit lower. Both were easy to follow today, but be aware there are some deep postholes scattered about on both BW's so be careful! Snow was crusty and firm in AM. I was able to bareboot all the way to the summit. Spikes worn all the way back down until the last 1/2 mile or so when the large stretches of bare trail opened up. The top inch of snow softened up in the PM, but base remained firm. All of this will change of course with any new snow that we get from this next storm event, but at least you'll know what's underneath! |
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 | Name: |
Dexter |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-04-07 |
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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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