PETCH
New member
Date: Feb 12, 2012
Trails/Peaks: Mt Isolation via Rocky Branch trail, Engine Hill bushwhack, Isolation trail, Davis Path
Trail Conditions: All trails in good shape and packed out. Some drifting in the Engine Hill bushwhack, and on the Davis Path. Barebootable, light traction helpful.
Cast of Characters: Kate, James, Jorge, Keith, Ken, Jim, Bill and Maboo, CrazyBob, Stella, Steve, Alysia, Matt, and me.
Commentary
Back in July 2010, a few us were hiking up Washington via Huntington's Ravine, and ran into a young lady who had completed just 3 NH 4k's. She was hiking alone, and we invited her to join us. It was clear from the start that she was in very good shape, and a very capable hiker. Well, for better or worse, she has continued to hike with our little band of crazies. During the coarse of the last 1 1/2 years or so, she has completed a Presi traverse, Bonds traverse, and numerous big mile/ele gain hikes all over the Whites. This young lady is Kate, who has just finished her NH48 4k list on Isolation!!
As Sunday am rolled around, the group size swelled a bit. Some new folks came along - Alysia, Matt, Bill, and Stella along with the usual group of Mainiac's, and folks from Mass and NH. A partial-gentlemanly start of 8:40am as the group left the parking area all sporting a little "Tie-dye" in the form of pants, head bands, garters - just to add a little "flair" to the celebratory day. Even the flamingo was out of the closet (literally, that is- not there is anything wrong with that) to commemorate the event.
Temps were in the single digits under bright sunny skies as we cruised up the Rocky Branch trail wearing nothing more than light traction on hard pack trails. Like others have reported, with fast conditions this is probably the best time to hit Isolation.
Heading up Rocky Branch
Before too long we hit the height of the land and hit the Engine Hill Bushwhack. The sun was still shining, but looking towards the Montalban Ridge, The higher peaks were in the clouds. So, unfortunately, it looked like views on Isolation were probably not going to happen.
Engine Hill bushwhack
After hitting the Isolation trail, Bill and his dog had to spin around due to "paw" issues. The dog, not Bill. So, the rest of the group continued on. As we approached the Davis Path, visibility decreased along with the temps!! The second whack that has been established cuts left before getting to the Isolation tentsite area and dumps you down on the Davis Path further to the South. By the time we hit the Isolation Spur trail near the summit, the temperature was -10'F !! We made the final dash up to the Isolation Summit, took the required pics to celebrate Kate's day, and got the heck out of Dodge.
Isolation Summit pic at well below zero
So with fast trail conditions and frigid temps preventing long stops, we hit the summit in less than 3 1/2 hours. Once back down under cover, we took a snack break, where Jorge took out a bottle of single malt scotch, and Kate took out a thermos of hot-toddy. A little fire water to warm the soul. Our little break didn't last long, as we decided to head out and finish eating later.
Further on down the Rocky Branch Trail , a moose crossed the trail and headed off into the woods. I wasn't able to get a decent picture, but could see him/her looking back at us through the trees. Oddly enough, this is the only moose I have ever seen while hiking. The remainder of the hike was uneventful as we were all on cruise control on a hard packed highway. We were back down at the parking lot at 2:35pm.
11 of us ended up going to Flat Bread company in N.Conway for some beverages and pizza in front of a warm fire!! We got to view Alysia's blister that she had been battling from the day before. Ouch! But, she was quite a trooper and didn't complain at all.
Nice way to cap off the day.
Congratulations Kate for #48!!, and thanks to everyone for coming along and enjoying the good times........
Stats: approx 12 1/4 miles,3300 ft of gain; 5 hrs 55min.
Slideshow from this trip
Petch
Trails/Peaks: Mt Isolation via Rocky Branch trail, Engine Hill bushwhack, Isolation trail, Davis Path
Trail Conditions: All trails in good shape and packed out. Some drifting in the Engine Hill bushwhack, and on the Davis Path. Barebootable, light traction helpful.
Cast of Characters: Kate, James, Jorge, Keith, Ken, Jim, Bill and Maboo, CrazyBob, Stella, Steve, Alysia, Matt, and me.
Commentary
Back in July 2010, a few us were hiking up Washington via Huntington's Ravine, and ran into a young lady who had completed just 3 NH 4k's. She was hiking alone, and we invited her to join us. It was clear from the start that she was in very good shape, and a very capable hiker. Well, for better or worse, she has continued to hike with our little band of crazies. During the coarse of the last 1 1/2 years or so, she has completed a Presi traverse, Bonds traverse, and numerous big mile/ele gain hikes all over the Whites. This young lady is Kate, who has just finished her NH48 4k list on Isolation!!
As Sunday am rolled around, the group size swelled a bit. Some new folks came along - Alysia, Matt, Bill, and Stella along with the usual group of Mainiac's, and folks from Mass and NH. A partial-gentlemanly start of 8:40am as the group left the parking area all sporting a little "Tie-dye" in the form of pants, head bands, garters - just to add a little "flair" to the celebratory day. Even the flamingo was out of the closet (literally, that is- not there is anything wrong with that) to commemorate the event.
Temps were in the single digits under bright sunny skies as we cruised up the Rocky Branch trail wearing nothing more than light traction on hard pack trails. Like others have reported, with fast conditions this is probably the best time to hit Isolation.
Heading up Rocky Branch
Before too long we hit the height of the land and hit the Engine Hill Bushwhack. The sun was still shining, but looking towards the Montalban Ridge, The higher peaks were in the clouds. So, unfortunately, it looked like views on Isolation were probably not going to happen.
Engine Hill bushwhack
After hitting the Isolation trail, Bill and his dog had to spin around due to "paw" issues. The dog, not Bill. So, the rest of the group continued on. As we approached the Davis Path, visibility decreased along with the temps!! The second whack that has been established cuts left before getting to the Isolation tentsite area and dumps you down on the Davis Path further to the South. By the time we hit the Isolation Spur trail near the summit, the temperature was -10'F !! We made the final dash up to the Isolation Summit, took the required pics to celebrate Kate's day, and got the heck out of Dodge.
Isolation Summit pic at well below zero
So with fast trail conditions and frigid temps preventing long stops, we hit the summit in less than 3 1/2 hours. Once back down under cover, we took a snack break, where Jorge took out a bottle of single malt scotch, and Kate took out a thermos of hot-toddy. A little fire water to warm the soul. Our little break didn't last long, as we decided to head out and finish eating later.
Further on down the Rocky Branch Trail , a moose crossed the trail and headed off into the woods. I wasn't able to get a decent picture, but could see him/her looking back at us through the trees. Oddly enough, this is the only moose I have ever seen while hiking. The remainder of the hike was uneventful as we were all on cruise control on a hard packed highway. We were back down at the parking lot at 2:35pm.
11 of us ended up going to Flat Bread company in N.Conway for some beverages and pizza in front of a warm fire!! We got to view Alysia's blister that she had been battling from the day before. Ouch! But, she was quite a trooper and didn't complain at all.
Nice way to cap off the day.
Congratulations Kate for #48!!, and thanks to everyone for coming along and enjoying the good times........
Stats: approx 12 1/4 miles,3300 ft of gain; 5 hrs 55min.
Slideshow from this trip
Petch
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