| 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, October 23, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There was 1 other car in the lot when I arrived and those folks were just starting. When I returned there were 3 more cars in the lot. The parking area is huge so there is lots of room. No fee to park. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I used the first bushwhack to avoid the first crossings. Water levels are low but I still went downstream to cross on Iso Express. With the cold temps this morning I didn't want to trust any slanted rocks that appeared wet. The downstream crossing is a bit more convoluted but I found all flat rocks and crossed easily. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There are still some step over blowdowns on the Rocky Branch trail. Nothing that poses an issue. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No puppers were seen or petter today. :( This is a fine route for dogs. Just expect them to be very muddy when you finish. |
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 | Bugs: |
Back in Hell. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing lost and nothing found. Nothing hanging from the trail sign either. |
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 | Comments: |
After so many rounds on Isolation, I have really come to love this hike. It's funny how some of them grow on you after awhile. The trail was dry for the first 2 miles or so but the leaves are unreal. Expect ankle deep leaves which hide everything. I just shook my head and laughed as I scuffled through hoping I didn't fall into a hole. Once you reach the height of land the leaves stop but the mud begins. First thing this morning most of it was sort of frozen which helped. There is still plenty of water along the Rocky Branch trail but the rocks were dry to rock hopping was pretty easy. I used the Molehill bushwhack first and the footbed was still pretty visible. No gps track needed for this one. Iso Express was a little trickier. The leaves do cover up the footbed more in places now for sure. I did check my gps a few times today and took a more meandering track down low. Higher up the footbed was more visible. The mud in this section is deep and squelchy. I avoided it as best as I could which isn't saying much. Davis path is cruisy and lovely. I had the summit completely to myself. Other than the 2 ladies I saw this morning (yup, I knew them) I didn't see another person all day. What a gift of a day. It feels amazing to be getting back to normal and to be back in the Whites. It's been a good week. :) |
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 | Name: |
Uki |
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 | E-Mail: |
ukisukinaminanu@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-10-23 |
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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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