| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhacks, Davis Path, Mt. Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot was plowed but quite icy. Watch your footing until spiky things are on! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The main water crossing is mostly bridged and was a fairly easy hop across |
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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: |
I had Isolation to myself today and the only tracks on it. I wore spikes from the trailhead to about 2,500’, then switched to snowshoes. Snowshoes stayed on the rest of the hike because I was too lazy to take them off again at around the same point. Below 2500’, there’s just a very light dusting of fresh snow on a well-defined path. Above that, it starts to build, and by the top of the initial climb up Rocky Branch to the height of land, drifting was noticeable. From there to the top, the trail was a mix of light fresh snow, crunchy hardpack on the existing trail, and fully drifted-in sections. For the most part,
I was able to follow the existing trail with minimal difficulty. The only spot where I really and truly lost the existing trail was near the top of Iso Express. Assuming tonight’s snow doesn’t bury everything, my new trail goes left. I fixed it on the way back down and took the existing trail, but just be sure to go right instead of left near the top of the Express. Davis Path has some drifting as expected, but it wasn’t too bad—no more than a foot at any point. Overall, the trail is in great shape. Both bushwhacks are quite direct, not the drunken sailor paths that they can be. While I had to look carefully to find the existing path at numerous points, 95% of it was easy to find, and there’s a good, crunchy base under the blown snow. |
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 | Name: |
IanB |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-31 |
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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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