| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhacks, Davis Path, Isolation Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 2, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
3 cars at 8am and less than 10 in the afternoon. Plenty of good parking on cold days. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The main water crossing to Iso express has a nice bridge forming. Still a bit fragile in places, but navigable with a little care. All of the other normal wet places (Engine Hill) can be seen and avoided. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Everything is in pretty good condition. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A very nice base is forming, and with 10+ people out today it should get even more solid over the weekend. Bare boots are good for the first mile or so, but snowshoes are the best option after that. Why snowshoes? Because I noticed two kinds of people today:
1. Snowshoers - Moving steady, not sinking, and leaving a nice compact trail behind. They were also all intelligent, attractive, and beacons of the hiking community.
2. Microspikers - Sinking with most steps, chopping up the trail, and struggling more than they should have. Most looked ghastly and appeared as if nose picking were their favorite hobby.
Easy lesson - when in doubt, choose snowshoes. You'll be glad you did. |
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 | Name: |
Chad |
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 | E-Mail: |
chadwik66@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-01-02 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.instagram.com/p/DTBfI1-kcXp/?img_index=1 |
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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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