Great Pumpkin
Member
Isolation via Rocky Branch Trail, Bushwhack, Isolation Tr. & Davis Path 1/10-11/09
Trail Conditions: On Saturday, there was well-consolidated snow on the RBT and on the bushwhack that begins just beyond height of land at appx. 3200'; we can't say enough good things about the previous hikers who put down this beautiful snowshoe track angling NNW up the Rocky Branch Valley. The BW intersects the Isolation Trail not too far below the final stream crossing of the RB river - a simply superb job of routefinding and trail packing. Thank-you, thank-you!! We camped only a few hundred yards from the Isolation Trail, which showed no signs of being tracked out from RB Shelter #2; the BW is definitely the way to go if you are looking to get Isolation. On Sunday, we awoke to perhaps 6" of fresh snow, and very little wind, so the tracks laid out by our predecessors were still visible for the most part, and easily followed. No major blowdowns to deal with. Two stream crossings were easily avoided by the BW, and the third & final one was well-bridged. There was also a nice, short BW from the "bootleg" campsite area that intersected the Davis Path, avoiding a "PUD" to the actual intersection of Iso Trail & Davis Path. No signs of any hiker traffic on Davis Path south of the Isolation spur (no surprise) or north of the aforesaid BW intersection with Isolation Trail.
Required EquipmentSnowshoes for sure; we all left our crampons in the car, and would not have needed them anywhere. Full winter overnight gear, and white gas stove - sad to report that Isobutane cannister stove performed poorly in single digit temps. Two (2) Fred Sleds Version 2.0 to haul stuff. Chicken a la Fredo for a fabulous meal on Saturday night!
Comments This winter backpack overnighter yielded Winter 4K no. 43 for me, Winter no. 45 for Creaky Knees (Fredo), Winter no. 7 for Dave B. (who is closing in on 48 overall) and a challenging Winter no. 1 for Brian T.; nice going. We hiked from appx. 12 p.m. to 4:15p.m. on Saturday, then 7:30 a.m. Sunday, summiting at 9:45 a.m. (no views; shoulda been there yesterday). Back at camp by 11:45 a.m., and I was the last man to the cars by 3:45 p.m. Happy to nail this one, after an unsuccessful foray last winter. Wanted to get this info. up last night, but was too darn tired.
Trail Conditions: On Saturday, there was well-consolidated snow on the RBT and on the bushwhack that begins just beyond height of land at appx. 3200'; we can't say enough good things about the previous hikers who put down this beautiful snowshoe track angling NNW up the Rocky Branch Valley. The BW intersects the Isolation Trail not too far below the final stream crossing of the RB river - a simply superb job of routefinding and trail packing. Thank-you, thank-you!! We camped only a few hundred yards from the Isolation Trail, which showed no signs of being tracked out from RB Shelter #2; the BW is definitely the way to go if you are looking to get Isolation. On Sunday, we awoke to perhaps 6" of fresh snow, and very little wind, so the tracks laid out by our predecessors were still visible for the most part, and easily followed. No major blowdowns to deal with. Two stream crossings were easily avoided by the BW, and the third & final one was well-bridged. There was also a nice, short BW from the "bootleg" campsite area that intersected the Davis Path, avoiding a "PUD" to the actual intersection of Iso Trail & Davis Path. No signs of any hiker traffic on Davis Path south of the Isolation spur (no surprise) or north of the aforesaid BW intersection with Isolation Trail.
Required EquipmentSnowshoes for sure; we all left our crampons in the car, and would not have needed them anywhere. Full winter overnight gear, and white gas stove - sad to report that Isobutane cannister stove performed poorly in single digit temps. Two (2) Fred Sleds Version 2.0 to haul stuff. Chicken a la Fredo for a fabulous meal on Saturday night!
Comments This winter backpack overnighter yielded Winter 4K no. 43 for me, Winter no. 45 for Creaky Knees (Fredo), Winter no. 7 for Dave B. (who is closing in on 48 overall) and a challenging Winter no. 1 for Brian T.; nice going. We hiked from appx. 12 p.m. to 4:15p.m. on Saturday, then 7:30 a.m. Sunday, summiting at 9:45 a.m. (no views; shoulda been there yesterday). Back at camp by 11:45 a.m., and I was the last man to the cars by 3:45 p.m. Happy to nail this one, after an unsuccessful foray last winter. Wanted to get this info. up last night, but was too darn tired.
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