Wolfgang
New member
Date of Hike: Tue., Mar. 27, 2012
Trails: Rocky Branch, Bushwhack, Isolation Tr., Davis Path
Conditions: Mostly dry bare ground with a dusting of new snow and small ice patches to about 2900ft. The stretch up to Engine Hill Height of land had a little bit more hard packed snow. With the freeze last night everything was hard packed and solid.
The whack across the birch glades was very easy. We walked on some rail, snow free areas, and hard packed patches of snow. Two of us wore spikes most of the way, one switched to snow shoes on the Davis Path, mainly for some traction. Isolation Tr. was a hardpacked narrow rail most of the way. Crossings were all running high. By using the Engine Hill bushwhack, we avoided all but the last crossing. It was running high with thin ice. We had to go upstream about 30 yards to cross over. Some rocks to step on and frozen ice, but we still got boots wet in crossing. The trail up to the Davis Path was hardpacked, but one has to walk up some wet stream beds that had running water. Davis path was in good shape, all hard packed and solid. The spur up to the summit had no ice, just good crusty snow for good footing. Traction needed here.
Windy for most of the day, but wasn't a factor, being mostly in the woods. The summit had some good winds. On the way back, it warmed up nicely and the winds died down. The snow softened slightly in the glades, but snowshoes were not needed. Great day out with Hiker Ed, and Bill Schor (Schorman).
Wolfgang
Trails: Rocky Branch, Bushwhack, Isolation Tr., Davis Path
Conditions: Mostly dry bare ground with a dusting of new snow and small ice patches to about 2900ft. The stretch up to Engine Hill Height of land had a little bit more hard packed snow. With the freeze last night everything was hard packed and solid.
The whack across the birch glades was very easy. We walked on some rail, snow free areas, and hard packed patches of snow. Two of us wore spikes most of the way, one switched to snow shoes on the Davis Path, mainly for some traction. Isolation Tr. was a hardpacked narrow rail most of the way. Crossings were all running high. By using the Engine Hill bushwhack, we avoided all but the last crossing. It was running high with thin ice. We had to go upstream about 30 yards to cross over. Some rocks to step on and frozen ice, but we still got boots wet in crossing. The trail up to the Davis Path was hardpacked, but one has to walk up some wet stream beds that had running water. Davis path was in good shape, all hard packed and solid. The spur up to the summit had no ice, just good crusty snow for good footing. Traction needed here.
Windy for most of the day, but wasn't a factor, being mostly in the woods. The summit had some good winds. On the way back, it warmed up nicely and the winds died down. The snow softened slightly in the glades, but snowshoes were not needed. Great day out with Hiker Ed, and Bill Schor (Schorman).
Wolfgang
