AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip
Report
TRIP DATE: 8-19-17
TRIP
LOCATION: Mt. Isolation
MEETING
TIME: 7:30 am at termination for car spotting, 8 am start at trailhead
NUMBER OF
PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 10
TOTAL HIKING
TIME (IN HOURS): 11 hrs. 38 min. (
LENGTH IN
MILES: 13.3
TOTAL
ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 3200 ft
DIFFICULTY: A (A=very
strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER
NAME(S): Len Ulbricht
CO-LEADER
NAME(S): Eva Borsody Das
TRAILHEAD
PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Ellis Falls parking area (day fee 0.8 miles south of Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
CAR SPOTTING
REQUIRED?: Yes TIME
REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 15 min
WAS TRIP
WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? Yes
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE
SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED: Took Glen Boulder Trail to Davis Path to Mt. Isolation. Then backtracked to Davis Path to Isolation trail to Rocky Branch trail. Hiked out Rocky Branch trail to spotted cars at parking area 3.8 mi. south of Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
Glen Boulder trail: Rocky trail with steep scrambling section just below Glen Boulder
Davis Path: Ridgeline trail partly above treelike, partly forested, and partly wet rocks, roots and mud
Isolation trail: Wet rocks, roots and boot sucking mud all the way and five water crossings
Rocky Branch trail: Wet rocks, roots and boot sucking mud for the first third, remainder dry and forested. Modest elevation change.
WEATHER
CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Temps in 60's, partial sun, humid, some fog and high clouds
OTHER
COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) Great views all around above treeline from Glen Boulder to and on Davis Path. Experienced wet and puddled trails in forested areas from previous day's rain.
Treacherous footing due to wet rocks, roots and boot sucking mud on Isolation trail and low lying portions of Davis Path and Rocky Branch. Several slips and falls contributed to one hiker's twisted ankle and another's bruised and swollen check bone and black eye.
There are five water crossings on Isolation trail that we were able to rock hop without changing into water crossing footwear despite previous day's rain. If level of water in Rocky Branch River is a concern, recommend checking at Saco Ranger Station (33 Kancamagus Why Conway, NH), Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Saco River water gauge at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/uy?site no=010642505 (discharge rate 110 cu ft/sec when we crossed).
THIS RUGGED PHYSICALLY DEMANDING HIKE REQUIRED ALMOST 12 HOURS TO COMPLETE, FINISHING IN DUSK LIGHT. RECOMMEND A 7 AM OR EARLIER START. ALTERNATELY, CONSIDER A SNOWSHOE ROUND TRIP ON THE ROCKY BRANCH TRAIL TO AVOID ROCKS, ROOTS, MUD AND 3200 FEET OF ELEVATION GAIN.
IMPORTANT:
Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious
incidents.
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