| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, Mt. Davis, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Davis Path, Isolation Spur, Davis Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Hadn't been up to the Cog lot in several years. Last time I was it was winter, so maybe I didn't notice but there' a huge area dedicated to hiker parking that was quite full at 0830. The lower WMNF parking lot was overflowing onto the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bone Dry |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple big trail blockers between Iso and Stairs that have established bypass herd paths |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None until sunset in the Davis Path parking lot. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Finally rode the Cog after years of wondering why anyone would. It was better than expected, and thankfully we didn't get mooned! We decided to take the Cog up to the summit rather than climbing up Ammo, hoping to save our legs a bit for the long journey down Davis Path to the terminus on Rt. 302. The AMC guidebook says it's about 15 miles with 1500 ascent and 8500 descent! First train up (not including the 0430 sunrise train) so the summit was relatively quiet, but the conga line coming up Crawford was a sign of the mayhem that such a nice Saturday would surely bring. We were glad to leave Crawford onto Davis Path. Saw what we assumed to be a Lakes Croo member hiking down Crawford barefoot - ouch! A little south of Boott Spur we met a couple of backpackers who had come in the Dry River and up Iso West, camped at the old Iso shelter location and were heading to Nauman via the Lakes hut. They said it was twenty minutes down Iso East to get water. Speaking of water, and the main reason for this report, is to say that right now there is really no water to be found on Davis Path. We saw two muddy areas with barely a trickle in the central portion of the trail, but you'd have to be desperate to even consider trying to get something to filter from them and it would take forever. We didn't see anyone after leaving Iso, so if solitude is your goal it's a nice hike for that. We did see what appeared to be a bicycle tire track from Stairs to 302. Didn't look like a knobby tire, more of a hybrid width. Can't imagine that would be much fun - lot's of portage! It is a nice hike but be aware it's a lot of elevation loss over some rough sections and you'll need to carry a lot of water. If you have a knee joint that is prone to soreness it will be complaining loudly, especially the last mile or so down from Mt. Crawford. Mine surely was. |
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 | Name: |
Notch and Pumba |
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 | E-Mail: |
bowmore17@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-08-24 |
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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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