| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Isolation, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch, bushwhack, Isolation, Davis Path, Iso spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
That huge parking lot off rte 16 had just two cars when we arrived just before 7am. Late afternoon there were more cars, but still largely vacant. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Taking the short 0.2 mi bushwhack shortly above crossing #1 eliminates that one and #2. Another very short herd path on the east side of Isolation trail eliminates #3 and #4, leaving just #5. That one was easy enough for everyone, as water flows still are relatively low. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The official trails are in fairly good shape. Aside from the few dead, light tree sections the recent winds had dropped on the trails, which we easily tossed aside, the remaining stepovers are easily crossed. Farther up on Isolation, above that crossing, there are some headknockers (aptly named, I can attest to) to avoid; keep looking up. The level parts of Davis, where there always is mud, is a mixture of supportive, partially supportive, and deep mud. The worst is that short, always mentioned level place with the sloped ledge alongside, which has some stuff strewn into the mud here and there, some of which will bear weight. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We saw none, although a good trail dog ought to be able to handle most of the route. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We moved up our OTHH hike to Isolation to be sure of getting this one done for Michele, who finished her first round of the 48. The weather was great for it, sunny and dry, with the awful winds from the day before having subsided. Even at the exposed summit ledges, there was only the lightest breeze. Visibility was great, with all of the southern presidential peaks showing in great detail. One of our party went up the Glen Boulder route, encountered a lone hiker going the same way, and the two came down to the level stretch of Davis together, overtaking the rest of us there. All of us went out via Rocky Branch. There we met several of us who had done Moriah, which closed out Steve's 2nd round. They, and others of us who hadn't done either hike, joined in the tailgate party, with another of Pam's carrot cakes, muffins, cookies, and bubbly. This was a great way to spend and celebrate a long but exhausting mid-fall day. |
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 | Name: |
Pappy |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-10-08 |
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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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