Great Pumpkin
Member
Trail Conditions: All trails were leaf-covered as foliage is now past peak. Sections of both the Rocky Branch and Isolation trails were quite wet, as advertised, especially in the area beyond the Dry River Wilderness Boundary sign at 2.6 miles in, and on the upper reaches of the Isolation trail before the campsites near the Davis Path intersection. In the morning, we had mostly nice, crunchy mud until the temps warmed up a bit, then it was back to the firm of Muck & Mire. Davis Path was mostly dry, with a few sections of bog crossed by old puncheons & stepping stones which were most helpful in keeping dry boots. Found ice as thick as appx. 1" on areas of standing water. All stream crossings were negotiated with care by those of us who are challenged by balance.
Special Required Equipment:Poles were certainly a necessity for me, as well as waterproof boots.
Comments: This backpack trip to nail #46 for Spaderman started on Sunday 10/19 at about 12pm from Rocky Branch Trail on Rte. 16, under cobalt blue skies, temps in the 50's, and zero wind. We encountered just one trio of hikers who were on their way out from Isolation, and Mr. Spruce Grouse in the area of the RB Trail just beyond the height-of-land, who seemed determined that "none shall pass". Made it to RB Shelter #2 by about 3:30 p.m. at a leisurely pace, and had the shelter to ourselves until about 8:30 p.m. when Archie & Shannon from Albany, NY arrived (very quietly; thank-you). Got up a bit late on Monday, and we weren't hiking (with light bags) until almost 10:00 a.m. (yeesh!), but we were at Davis Path by 12:00 p.m., and on the Isolation summit by 12:30 p.m. Lingered for lunch and seemingly limitless views til about 1:15 p.m., then headed back toward RB #2 to pack up & head home. Had a second humorous encounter with the "Killer Grouse" at virtually the same location, and made it back to the car by a little after 6:00 p.m. in the gathering darkness. Spaderman is lacking only Bond & Bondcliff to complete his 4K footer list; a traverse may be in his near future!!
Special Required Equipment:Poles were certainly a necessity for me, as well as waterproof boots.
Comments: This backpack trip to nail #46 for Spaderman started on Sunday 10/19 at about 12pm from Rocky Branch Trail on Rte. 16, under cobalt blue skies, temps in the 50's, and zero wind. We encountered just one trio of hikers who were on their way out from Isolation, and Mr. Spruce Grouse in the area of the RB Trail just beyond the height-of-land, who seemed determined that "none shall pass". Made it to RB Shelter #2 by about 3:30 p.m. at a leisurely pace, and had the shelter to ourselves until about 8:30 p.m. when Archie & Shannon from Albany, NY arrived (very quietly; thank-you). Got up a bit late on Monday, and we weren't hiking (with light bags) until almost 10:00 a.m. (yeesh!), but we were at Davis Path by 12:00 p.m., and on the Isolation summit by 12:30 p.m. Lingered for lunch and seemingly limitless views til about 1:15 p.m., then headed back toward RB #2 to pack up & head home. Had a second humorous encounter with the "Killer Grouse" at virtually the same location, and made it back to the car by a little after 6:00 p.m. in the gathering darkness. Spaderman is lacking only Bond & Bondcliff to complete his 4K footer list; a traverse may be in his near future!!
Last edited:
