Started on the Crawford path at 8:40AM, myself and trusted canine companion. It's a nice easy route, but surely shows the signs of heavy use. Arrived at Mizpah hut at 10:10 for water and a short food break, then headed down into the Dry River Valley by way of Dry River Cutoff trail. The trail is narrow and wet, but a beautiful walk through dense forest. Plenty of log bridges to maneuver over the wet areas though most are pretty rotted. Only 1 other set of human footprints, so a sense of wilderness prevails. The trail eventually parallels a small stream until it finds the Dry River. Just before the crossing is a marker for a campsite. The crossing itself was easily managed over some large boulders, but I would hate to be here in any wet weather.
I arrived at the junction of Dry River trail at noon and stashed some of my gear to lighten my pack. I would be staying at Dry River Shelter that night. After a short break, I started up Isolation trail. It follows a good stream for about a mile, so drinking water is never an issue. The trail itself is rough in spots, narrow, overgrown, and has several blowdowns, but only one of the blowdowns, involving multiple trees, was a hassle. Hit the junction of Davis path and headed toward Isolation. Just after a trail sign, the summit spur climbs up a rocky path to the Isolation summit. Finally after 6 1/2 hours I was treated to some VFTT. The sky was overcast, but all the summits were clear and there were great views over the Dry River area. But alas, I had no time to linger. With rain in the forecast, and another 2-3 hours to my overnight shelter, I sat for 5-10 minutes, gulped down a few handfuls, and headed back the way I came. At the Dry River junction, I made my first human contact and chatted a bit, but I still had a ways to go, and it was 5:15, so I gathered my stashed belongings and headed up river. Why does the last mile of any hike seem to go on forever???? My joy of reaching the shelter was quickly dashed by the sight of 6-8 ( 10,12,14??? ) happy campers out for their prep school orientation trip ( or whatever it's called ). Nice kids and no bother, but it sure made for cramped quarters in the shelter.
Got up at first light and wolfed down breakfast before the rest of the gang started stirring, and was back on the trail by 7:15AM. Todays objective was the Mt Eisenhower trail. This side of Ike definitely doesn't see much traffic. One human footprint and one Moose footprint. Narrow and overgrown with some rough spots near the top, the spruce branches from either side even overlap in the middle. The wetness of the branches soaked me just in time to arrive above tree line and get smacked by the cold wind blowing over the ridge. I knew I was approaching Crawford path when I heard human voices
( kinda like coming down off a trail and hearing highway sounds ). Beautiful day for a ridge walk. I bypassed Ike (this section of trail sucks), went under Pierce, and got back to the trailhead at 2:00PM. Cold beer awaited.
An excellent 2 days of wilderness and ridge! #40 and climbing.
I arrived at the junction of Dry River trail at noon and stashed some of my gear to lighten my pack. I would be staying at Dry River Shelter that night. After a short break, I started up Isolation trail. It follows a good stream for about a mile, so drinking water is never an issue. The trail itself is rough in spots, narrow, overgrown, and has several blowdowns, but only one of the blowdowns, involving multiple trees, was a hassle. Hit the junction of Davis path and headed toward Isolation. Just after a trail sign, the summit spur climbs up a rocky path to the Isolation summit. Finally after 6 1/2 hours I was treated to some VFTT. The sky was overcast, but all the summits were clear and there were great views over the Dry River area. But alas, I had no time to linger. With rain in the forecast, and another 2-3 hours to my overnight shelter, I sat for 5-10 minutes, gulped down a few handfuls, and headed back the way I came. At the Dry River junction, I made my first human contact and chatted a bit, but I still had a ways to go, and it was 5:15, so I gathered my stashed belongings and headed up river. Why does the last mile of any hike seem to go on forever???? My joy of reaching the shelter was quickly dashed by the sight of 6-8 ( 10,12,14??? ) happy campers out for their prep school orientation trip ( or whatever it's called ). Nice kids and no bother, but it sure made for cramped quarters in the shelter.
Got up at first light and wolfed down breakfast before the rest of the gang started stirring, and was back on the trail by 7:15AM. Todays objective was the Mt Eisenhower trail. This side of Ike definitely doesn't see much traffic. One human footprint and one Moose footprint. Narrow and overgrown with some rough spots near the top, the spruce branches from either side even overlap in the middle. The wetness of the branches soaked me just in time to arrive above tree line and get smacked by the cold wind blowing over the ridge. I knew I was approaching Crawford path when I heard human voices
( kinda like coming down off a trail and hearing highway sounds ). Beautiful day for a ridge walk. I bypassed Ike (this section of trail sucks), went under Pierce, and got back to the trailhead at 2:00PM. Cold beer awaited.
An excellent 2 days of wilderness and ridge! #40 and climbing.
