I too did the Isolation bushwack yesterday (Thurs 3/17) about 1.5-2 hrs behind Spider Solo. Got to within 200-300ft of the summit. Took me 14.5 hrs--8:00am to 10:30pm.
Even with the aid of Spider's tracks, it was a toughie. "Found" an armpit-deep spruce trap a step off the Davis Path. Snowshoes, car-to-car.
> (Spider's comments)
> I lost the trail within the 1st hr in the open woods
Just the turn at the end of a switchback. I stayed on the trail (the MSR snowshoe prints).
> regained it later here the yellow flagging is
From the topo, this appears to be a combined wilderness and county boundary marker.
I followed Spider's route up and returned by the same route with a correction. (Fixes problems he reports for the way up.) Checked his route with my GPS.
*************** Warning, Route Beta--do not read if you want to work it out for yourself **********************
Navigational suggestions for the Sat group: (The snowshoe print descriptions assume no traffic on Fri.)
1. read
http://www.voy.com/76694/19.html (detailed instructions from Peakbagger), Bring a copy along.
2. Definitely need a map (24K topo is better than AMC) and compass. Altimeter and GPS also useful. (I had entered the route in my GPS.)
3. Follow Spider's instructions as to choosing his ascent (preferred) vs descent bushwack route as to where it leaves the Rocky Branch Tr. I took his ascent route both ways, so it should have 3 sets of snowshoe prints (again, mine are the MSRs). (Didn't actually see where his other route joined. Just became aware of his snowshoe prints--it was dark.) This segment leads to Isolation Tr at 3200ft.
4. You can follow the tracks to the stream crossing. (Alternative below.)
5. Beyond the stream crossing, follow the tracks until there is a junction--take the left (southerly) set. It leads around the difficulties Spider encountered. Parts of this route are .2-.3 mi N of Peakbagger's route. (Unfortunately, you will miss his smiley carved on a 10ft snow lump.
) Follow to the ridge--the spruce gets thick near the ridge.
6. At the ridge, there will be a small hill in front (N of) Isolation. Tracks all over the hill--dead ends. Davis Path goes to the right (W) of this hill. At the base of the hill there are two routes right (W) to the Davis Path. Take the upper one (go around the arm pit depth spruce trap). (The lower one leads to the base of a large snowdrift blocking Davis Path.) Turn left (S) on Davis Path. My tracks explore 2 variations--both were blocked (but I could see what looked like clearings beyond). I had to turn around here (it was 4pm...) I never did find which of Spider's tracks led to the summit.
Davis Path goes to the left (E) of Isolation summit, about 125 yds from the summit. The access spur trail is poorly marked (sign visible from the other direction (S)). (I didn't get this far--info from a summer ascent.)
7. Return the way you came.
Alternate route (following Peakbagger's route descriiption);
4alt. Spider's route from the crossing of Isolation Tr to the stream crossing leads too far North. Turn left here and follow a heading of 281 true to the stream draining the col N of Isolation at 3400 ft. (BTW, I suggest you take your compass headings from the map rather than off landmarks.)
5alt. Parallel the stream up to the ridge. (You are likely to connect with Spider's route on this leg.)
A nice "little" hike.
Doug
