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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Isolation, Mt. Davis, NH
Trails
Trails: Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur, Davis Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, October 3, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Large paved parking area off of NH 16. Lot is signed from the highway. Could hold easily 20 cars. I do not know if this lot is plowed in winter. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Several major water crossings. The first, and most challenging, was on Rocky Branch just prior to the junction with Isolation trail. An adult can cross and stay dry with some creativity. The remainder are negotiable using brains and patience. These crossings would be dangerous in high water (like spring run off time). 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trail maintainers have been hard at work dealing with the multitude of blow downs on Davis (the section from the Isolation jct moving towards Isolation spur and past on the Davis Trail). Thank you! This is a naturally rocky and muddy trail. Not too sure what could be done about that.. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: After the rains the small streams were flowing, even on the proverbial “dry” Davis Path. However, I encourage persons to bring ample water in case it has not rained in several days. 
Bugs
Bugs: Hee, hee! No! Suckers! No match for the cooler temps! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Pair of nice sunglasses with cord on Isolation trail. These were hung on a tree branch near the middle of the path. 
 
Comments
Comments: Expedition path:
Rocky Branch trail -> Isolation Trail (east side) -> Davis Path -> Isolation Spur -> Davis Path -> Mt. Davis Spur -> reverse direction back to Rocky Branch trailhead.

Rocky Branch: good trail. Footbed well defined and easy to follow. Yellow blazes on lower portion then none after. Carins mark the major water crossing before the jct with Isolation.

Isolation trail: yeah... this one was mentally challenging because of all the roots and rocks. And more roots and more rocks. For a second I had forgotten I was in the “Rockadentials.” Pointy little suckers. And lots of mud. Running water, standing water, and mud-water type substances on this trail. Your shoes will get soaked. There’s just no way around it. Footpath was defined in most areas. Otherwise, if the trail seems to have vanished in the muck and water, travel a few feet to find the footbed again.

Davis Path: well used footway is straight forward and simple to follow from Isolation trail up to the jct with Isolation Spur. The Spur is also short and easy to follow. Summit is marked with carin and geological marker. Nice view of Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce. Past the Spur there is a considerable change. The footway was clear all the way from the jct with Isolation to the Davis Spur. But, man! Such a soft footbed! After descending from Isolation you realize just how “isolated” this section is. This section receives far less foot travel than the aforementioned sections, as it is more narrow, but clearly enough travel to keep the footbed defined. Very nice woods with two running streams after yesterday’s rain. The view from Mt. Davis, I think, is better than Isolation. You get full view of the complete Montalban Ridge. Solitude on Mt. Davis. The Mt. Davis Spur was well signed and easy to see (plus I was looking for it).

By the end of this hike I was cursing the rocks and roots. Next time I will stick with my plan to take the less used Davis Path!  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-10-03 
Link
Link: https:// 
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