Mt. Isolation Hike 8-19-17

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. (book time 8 hr 43 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.

Blueberry & Speckled Mtn. hike at Chapter Hut Weekend

TRIP DATE:  09/19/15

TRIP LOCATION:  Blueberry and Speckled Mountains in Evans Notch                     

MEETING TIME:         met at 9:15 a.m. in front of Conant Lodge at Cold River Camp for the short carpooled ride to the Brickett Place trailhead three miles up the road in Evans Notch.                   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 12 (including 5 from Blueberry Mountain-only contingent

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):       app. 6 hours

LENGTH IN MILES:      app. 8.5 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    app. 2,000 feet

DIFFICULTY:       B/C –semi-strenuous              (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):       Paul Miller & Eva Borsody Das

CO-LEADER NAME(S):   Sandy Santilli

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:       No                   TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:  N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?    Yes   
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED: Hiked Bicknell Ridge Trail as short distance to Blueberry Ridge Trail, which we took up over Blueberry Mountain to rejoin with Bicknell Ridge Trail, which we took up to the summit of Speckled Mtn.  Returned to cars via Bicknell Ridge Trail.  All trails were in very good condition with a very minor blowdown on the Blueberry Ridge Trail

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:   Mostly sunny and warm, but fairly humid, with a light breeze in exposed places.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.): Excellent near-360-degree views from the summit of Speckled Mtn, with some “teaser” views on exposed ledges on the way up to the summit.  As John mentioned in his earlier post, the trip up to Blueberry Mtn. involves a few fairly steep scrambles, which while fun, can be a bit challenging for newer hikers.  This group didn’t seem to have any problems or complaints.  Also, hitting Blueberry first is definitely the best way to do this loop hike, since it gets the more challenging scrambles out of the way on the way up, and is a very easy hike down on the relatively gentle and civilized Bicknell Brook Trail (which used to serve as an access road to the former fire tower on the summit of Speckled. Mtn.

South and North Baldface Mts.

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 9-18-15

TRIP LOCATION: South and North Baldface Mts., Evans Notch, NH

MEETING TIME: 8:30 am

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 13

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):  8 hrs. 15 min.

LENGTH IN MILES: 9.8 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 3603 ft.

DIFFICULTY:     Stenuous                              (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S): Leslie Carson, Eva Borsody Das

CO-LEADER NAME(S):

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: None

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:   No                 TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  Yes

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

Trails hiked were the Baldface Circle Trail to Bicknell Ridge Trail off of North Baldface returning to the Baldface Circle Trail then back to Cold River Camp.

Trails were dry, but steep going up South Baldface. Lots of rock scrambling, requiring hands-on maneuvers. Some steep areas going up North Baldface summit and descending. This hike should not be attempted in wet conditions because of the steep areas.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: The weather was perfect for this hike - dry and sunny, but a little too warm. Many people went through lots of water and electrolytes.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) - Great views all around!

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

Photo by Ken Carson