Pete Hogan
New member
Mt. Isolation
4003’
September 10, 2012
We arrived at Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch late on Sunday afternoon after long drive from home. Our plan was to hike Mt. Isolation (#47) on Monday (9.10.12); rest on Tuesday; hike Mt. Carrigain (#48) on Wednesday and drive home Thursday after breakfast. The weather forecast looked promising for the upcoming week with “mostly sunny” to “clear” days through the end of the week. Well, it didn’t quite start out that way on Monday, but the rest of the week was perfect weather for hiking with brilliant, sunny days and crisp, cool nights.
While at JDL we met Matt C. from the Catskills and as we shared our hiking plans for the week, Matt wondered if he might join us for our Isolation hike. Barb and I were happy to have a third person and welcomed his company. Besides being an experienced and competent hiker, he enriched our day with his knowledge of birding, nature and hiking. Matt’s addition to our hike supported my belief that there are no strangers in the mountains, just friends we haven’t met.
From the Rocky Branch trailhead to the height-of-land on the flanks of Engine Hill, we chatted away the time and hardly noticed the distance (2.8 miles) and elevation (1950’) covered in the first two hours of the hike. From there, the route turned particularly soggy but we managed to stay dry. Compared to some of the BSM (Boot Sucking Mud) of the Adirondacks, the trail was relatively dry.
We were prepared for wet water crossings, but water levels were low enough to reveal plenty of dry and partially submerged rocks to safely traverse all the Rocky Branch stream crossings. The approach to the Davis Path junction was tedious at times, but the wilderness scenery accompanied by the Rocky Branch symphony masked the disheartening effects of the relentless rock walk. Much of the route to this point involved constant awareness the rough trail and careful “ball-of-the-foot” placement on each rock without being able to land the heel. This prolonged pattern tightened the Achilles tendon and hamstrings to the piano-wire tension of high C. It was also difficult to see and appreciate the surrounding wilderness because that would require looking up from the rocky, unpredictable path causing a potential stumble or worse.
At the 5-mile mark, we left the banks of the Rocky Branch and ascended to higher ground to find a beautiful forest-floor-patch of brilliant green moss. I am always in awe of pristine places like this that just seem to appear out of nowhere. This natural emerald wonder made us pause to appreciate and be thankful for the art of Mother Nature.
We arrived at the Davis Path junction for a short break before heading south for the final .9-mile and 300’ of vertical. A short time later we were ascending the Mt. Isolation spur trail to the summit of our 47th peak.
As we approached the rock-terraced summit, we could hear the fierce wind and feel the temperature plunge so we took some time to layer-up before we stepped out to the first rock shelf. The summit conditions were startling with high winds and temperatures that we estimated to be in the 40’s. Later we learned on Mt. Washington that day (only 4 miles north of our location) wind gusts were measured at 70 mph and temperatures fell into the 30’s.
The cloud ceiling shrouded all the higher summits to our north (Mt. Washington) and west (Mt. Pierce). Mizpah Spring Hut (a speck of white in a sea of green) was clearly visible from our vantage point. Only the east was partly sunny with good views. We were very happy and excited to be on the summit of Mt. Isolation, but just as pleased (and relieved) to descend to the relative warmth and shelter of the forest canopy after a brief summit/lunch celebration.
We re-traced our long route in stages with a clear understanding that with due care it was just a matter of time before we could truly celebrate and enjoy the day’s achievement.
Our return to the PA was joyful and in time for the JDL supper bell. The crowded dining room of the previous night had almost totally disappeared which permitted an abundance of soothing hot water for a rejuvenating, after-dinner shower.
Sleep was fitful as I tried to get comfortable to no avail. So I cautiously tossed and turned in slow motion long into the night. My mind tried to suppress the aches and pains of the hike; relive the memories of the day; look forward to the hopeful healing of tomorrow and dream of a triumphant finish on Wednesday.
Mt. Isolation
Summit elevation: 4003’
RT distance: 14.6 miles
Vertical ascent: 3250’
Hiking time: 5:18 hrs. ascent - 4:10 hrs. return – 9:28 hrs. total hike time.
Here is a link to the Mt. Isolation photographs:
https://picasaweb.google.com/107373...&authkey=Gv1sRgCKWy2N2xjvO5dA&feat=directlink
After clicking on the link; select slide show; then click pause; then press the F11 key for full screen viewing. Use the (R & L) arrows to manually advance or recall the photos at your pace to leisurely view the pictures and the captions.
Please see the next post.
4003’
September 10, 2012
We arrived at Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch late on Sunday afternoon after long drive from home. Our plan was to hike Mt. Isolation (#47) on Monday (9.10.12); rest on Tuesday; hike Mt. Carrigain (#48) on Wednesday and drive home Thursday after breakfast. The weather forecast looked promising for the upcoming week with “mostly sunny” to “clear” days through the end of the week. Well, it didn’t quite start out that way on Monday, but the rest of the week was perfect weather for hiking with brilliant, sunny days and crisp, cool nights.
While at JDL we met Matt C. from the Catskills and as we shared our hiking plans for the week, Matt wondered if he might join us for our Isolation hike. Barb and I were happy to have a third person and welcomed his company. Besides being an experienced and competent hiker, he enriched our day with his knowledge of birding, nature and hiking. Matt’s addition to our hike supported my belief that there are no strangers in the mountains, just friends we haven’t met.
From the Rocky Branch trailhead to the height-of-land on the flanks of Engine Hill, we chatted away the time and hardly noticed the distance (2.8 miles) and elevation (1950’) covered in the first two hours of the hike. From there, the route turned particularly soggy but we managed to stay dry. Compared to some of the BSM (Boot Sucking Mud) of the Adirondacks, the trail was relatively dry.
We were prepared for wet water crossings, but water levels were low enough to reveal plenty of dry and partially submerged rocks to safely traverse all the Rocky Branch stream crossings. The approach to the Davis Path junction was tedious at times, but the wilderness scenery accompanied by the Rocky Branch symphony masked the disheartening effects of the relentless rock walk. Much of the route to this point involved constant awareness the rough trail and careful “ball-of-the-foot” placement on each rock without being able to land the heel. This prolonged pattern tightened the Achilles tendon and hamstrings to the piano-wire tension of high C. It was also difficult to see and appreciate the surrounding wilderness because that would require looking up from the rocky, unpredictable path causing a potential stumble or worse.
At the 5-mile mark, we left the banks of the Rocky Branch and ascended to higher ground to find a beautiful forest-floor-patch of brilliant green moss. I am always in awe of pristine places like this that just seem to appear out of nowhere. This natural emerald wonder made us pause to appreciate and be thankful for the art of Mother Nature.
We arrived at the Davis Path junction for a short break before heading south for the final .9-mile and 300’ of vertical. A short time later we were ascending the Mt. Isolation spur trail to the summit of our 47th peak.
As we approached the rock-terraced summit, we could hear the fierce wind and feel the temperature plunge so we took some time to layer-up before we stepped out to the first rock shelf. The summit conditions were startling with high winds and temperatures that we estimated to be in the 40’s. Later we learned on Mt. Washington that day (only 4 miles north of our location) wind gusts were measured at 70 mph and temperatures fell into the 30’s.
The cloud ceiling shrouded all the higher summits to our north (Mt. Washington) and west (Mt. Pierce). Mizpah Spring Hut (a speck of white in a sea of green) was clearly visible from our vantage point. Only the east was partly sunny with good views. We were very happy and excited to be on the summit of Mt. Isolation, but just as pleased (and relieved) to descend to the relative warmth and shelter of the forest canopy after a brief summit/lunch celebration.
We re-traced our long route in stages with a clear understanding that with due care it was just a matter of time before we could truly celebrate and enjoy the day’s achievement.
Our return to the PA was joyful and in time for the JDL supper bell. The crowded dining room of the previous night had almost totally disappeared which permitted an abundance of soothing hot water for a rejuvenating, after-dinner shower.
Sleep was fitful as I tried to get comfortable to no avail. So I cautiously tossed and turned in slow motion long into the night. My mind tried to suppress the aches and pains of the hike; relive the memories of the day; look forward to the hopeful healing of tomorrow and dream of a triumphant finish on Wednesday.
Mt. Isolation
Summit elevation: 4003’
RT distance: 14.6 miles
Vertical ascent: 3250’
Hiking time: 5:18 hrs. ascent - 4:10 hrs. return – 9:28 hrs. total hike time.
Here is a link to the Mt. Isolation photographs:
https://picasaweb.google.com/107373...&authkey=Gv1sRgCKWy2N2xjvO5dA&feat=directlink
After clicking on the link; select slide show; then click pause; then press the F11 key for full screen viewing. Use the (R & L) arrows to manually advance or recall the photos at your pace to leisurely view the pictures and the captions.
Please see the next post.
