Trails Used

Glen Boulder, Davis Path, Davis Path Spur, herd path, Isolation Trail, herd path, Rocky Branch

Trail Conditions

Notes

We car spotted and hiked the Glen Boulder to Rocky Branch Traverse. The absolute best way to get Isolation. The weather was beautiful. Great views on Glen Boulder. We took two bw's/herd paths: Iso and mini engine hill. The herd paths were pleasant and easy to follow. There are some muddy areas but manageable. Just watch your step as the mud is deep in some spots. No snow except for a few small patches. There is some significant running water on parts of Rocky Branch. We encountered some bugs mostly coming down on Rocky Branch. The breeze kept them away until then. One water crossing after the ISO BW which was fine.

Parking

$5 parking with a lot of space at Glen Boulder. No fee at Rocky Branch and also plenty of parking spaces.

Water Crossings

We had one water crossing which was easy to navigate

Wildlife

yes! the black flies are out but were mostly annoying on the final descent on Rocky Branch. Bug repellant and bug nets kept them at bay

Trails Used

Glen Boulder, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Notes

A terrific day out on trail. Glen Boulder is in great condition. The one crossing was easy. No snow or ice. Davis path is in good shape but had a few spots of significant mud. The mud on 5/27 was navigable with waterproof trail runners but could get bad with the forecasted precipitation coming up. Davis Path had trace amounts of snow. No traction is required. Davis Path also has a few blow downs but nothing of issue. It looks like someone cleared some of the more obstructive trees.

Parking

$5. Clean toilets. Lots of parking on a weekday.

Water Crossings

easy peasy

Wildlife

Present but not terrible for late May. We ended up using repellant.

Trails Used

ROcky Branch Trail, Engine Hill, Iso Express

Trail Conditions

Notes

This trail is what it is. Rocky, muddy, streams, but it goes through beautiful open woods. Engine Hill is very hard to follow and wet but has some of the most beautiful birch glades you'll ever see. Also has a ton of moose poop. Iso Express is difficult to follow at the very beginning, but then is easier to follow the footbed. Love the unique view at the top!

Water Crossings

Water level was low enough to cross the stream without getting wet.

Trails Used

Glen boulder, Davis trail, rocky branch

Trail Conditions

Notes

Only a couple of small patches of snow (easily avoidable) after north isolation but traction is not needed at all. A lot of blowdowns from north isolation to halfway down rocky branch. Trails are waterlogged with significant mud - waterproof shoes, gators and poles were essential. Bushwhacked around two water crossings - the other two were rock hoppable.

Water Crossings

A few water crossings - waterproof boots and gators are important

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Glen Boulder, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Parking

Parking lot was great.

Water Crossings

Water crossing was a breeze, no issues.

Wildlife

No bugs at all!

Trails Used

Glen Boulder Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Trail, Rocky Branch Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Glen Boulder Trail and Davis Path still had significant snow above spring spur - recommended allowing more time for melt. Isolation Trail and Rocky Branch were wet and muddy as typical. Stayed at signed tentsite and observed both sunset and sunrise.

Water Crossings

Uppermost water crossing on Isolation Trail was rock hoppable. Other crossings bypassed by following herd paths to avoid wading.

Wildlife

Saw a rabbit. Only one other group encountered.

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, Low Engine Hill Herd Path, Isolation Trail, Iso Express Herd Path, Davis Path, Isolation Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Conditions were pretty standard. Dry trail, mud, river running down trail, lots of rock steps, significant mud, repeat all of the above. Both herd paths were easy to follow and in good shape. Iso Express is a bit wetter but still good. One small snow "field" at the top of the Iso Express before Davis Path. Very stable and walked over it. a couple of small patches on Davis Path. Temps and wind made this a sit at the summit day!

Parking

Plenty of room in paved lot

Water Crossings

Crossing of Rocky Branch at the start of Iso Express was easy rock hop in a number of locations.

Wildlife

They were out on the ascent from the parking lot and descent back to lot BUT they were not biting and the breeze kept them away for the most part. From height of land to peak and back they were of no issue.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, bushwhack, Davis Path, Davis Spur, bushwhack, Rocky Branch

Trail Conditions

Notes

Rocky Branch was it's usual ditch of running water on both sides of the height of land. We bushwhacked over the top of Rocky Branch Ridge which added some elevation but was perfectly dry. Davis Path to Isolation had some remaining monorail but traction was not needed. We cleaned several blow downs on Davis Path between Isolation and Davis Spur. Our bushwhack route from the col between Isolation and Davis was a beauty. Several areas of thick vegetation but we made it easily down to the second (from the south) water crossing of the Rocky Branch trail.

Water Crossings

All crossings made by walking on the mostly dry tops of rocks

Wildlife

Black flies below 2,700'

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, bushwhack, Isolation, Davis Path, Spur

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Did you know the Rocky Branch Trail is named after Rocky Branch Railroad, which operated from 1908-1913 until wildfires shut it down in 1914 leading to the removal of the rails? At one point they considered naming it "Rocky Branch with Six Inches of Water on Top of It Railroad", but the people on the ground thought their bosses back in Boston might question their judgement in building a railroad in a section of the Whites that is clearly flooded for the 7 months a year it's not under snow. To this day, if you stop rock hopping long enough to pick your head up, you might just see dozens of yards of straight, even water where a railroad bed used to be. Anyway, it was Iso in the spring. It's wet. There are blow downs. But it isn't hard, it's just long. Put on your best mud shoes and enjoy the great views up top.

Parking

Plenty of spots in the morning and afternoon at Rocky Branch trailhead.

Water Crossings

The water crossing on Isolation trail about 5 miles from the trailhead is just deep enough to be tricky. Plan on taking your shoes off, or just wading for 3-4 steps if you have trail runners that drain quickly.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Glen Boulder Trail, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Snow wasn't abundant, only covered maybe 10% of the trail. It was very sticky and the monorail was mostly stable in shaded areas. Microspikes recommended but should hopefully not be needed by most individuals.

Parking

The parking at Glen Ellis Falls is usually suitable, but since it is closed during the spring, there is parking available for free on either side of the entrance alongside rt16.

Water Crossings

One water crossing at lower elevation on the Glen Boulder trail; very manageable, even after a week of constant rain.

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, Mt Isolation, Davis Path and Mt Isolation Spur Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Pretty good for this wet May. No snow until 3500' and more consistent snow above 3700'. Monorails were mostly snow and sticky so no spikes needed today but I'd recommend carrying them as the monorails may become icy and more narrow.

Parking

No cars when I arrived at 615 and just 3 other parties out there today.

Water Crossings

Easily rock hopped with a few slick rocks so care is advisable.

Wildlife

Happily none today!

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, Engine Molehill, Mt Isolation, Iso Express, Davis Path and Mt Isolation Spur Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Overall great conditions for this wet May! Trail runners trailhead to trailhead and spikes got a free ride. Typically wet and spongy conditions in the usual areas of all the trails. Snow started at 3500' and more consistent above 3700' on the Iso Express. Davis Path and the Spur Trail is a mix of snow and bare ground and remnant monorails which were easily avoided on the edges or sticky enough to walk on without sliding much (a little bit on the summit Spur Trail descent). But carrying spikes is still prudent as that monorail might get icy in the right (wrong) conditions.

Parking

Mine was the 1st car in the parking lot and just 3 other parties out there today.

Water Crossings

Iso Express water crossing was pretty easy rock hops. A couple of rocks in the middle of the crossing were a little slick but careful stepping was warranted.

Wildlife

Happily none!

Trails Used

Rocky Branch trail, bushwhacks, Davis Path, Isolation Spur

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

We started in the rain on a damp trail. As we ascended there was more water on the trail and things got muddier. The usual areas on Rocky Branch had lots of standing and flowing water. As we reached the height of land the rain switched to snow. The made the rocks a little more slippery. The trail turned into the typical stream and we picked our way through. The shorter bushwhack had some areas of deep mud. The descent to the river on Iso Express was slick with some ice covered by the new snow. Iso express was tricky in terms of route finding. We had 3 tracks running and used all 3 to navigate. Despite that, we still were off track for the first part of the whack. We were close and our tracks will get you there (if you can even see them) but we were off. We found the path again for the last part of the bushwhack and that track is spot on. There is some monorail on and off down low on Iso Express but it isn't always stable. Higher up there is still an impressive monorail but it is also not always stable and if you deviate from it, you will posthole a good 3 feet in spots. Davis path had some areas of bare trail and rock and some areas with stable monorail. We finally put on spikes for the Isolation spur trail and kept them on for the descent until we had recrossed the river. This was a heck of a day with an all star crew! Tonia and I both gridded out this peak and she reached 575 today. Woot woot!!

Parking

Plenty of room.

Water Crossings

We used the shorter 1st bushwack which cuts the corner and bypasses the first 2 water crossings. Those crossings did look higher than we would like so we were glad by could skip them. The crossing on Iso Express we crossed downstream using a zig zag across the flattest rocks. No one fell in or dunked any feet.

Wildlife

Still in Hell

Trails Used

Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation East, Bushwhack, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Good conditions for Isolation at the moment. Easy hiking up to the height of land along Rocky Branch Trail, followed by half running water on the trail and half dry trail down to the Isolation East junction. Isolation East was in fine shape for the mile I traveled along it. Iso Express whack started with a narrow monorail for a few tenths of a mile before becoming sporadic for a few tenths of a mile. If you're not familiar with the route, use caution as there are a few tricky spots where you could venture off the standard whack. The second half of Iso Express had an easy-to-follow monorail, sometimes narrow, but it was supportive. This is where I put on rock spikes and left them on until coming back down, except for the totally bare summit. Great morning to head to Isolation to take in the views of the Southern Presi's. Sarge and I saw one other happy hiker out and about, enjoying the day.

Parking

Plenty of parking at Rocky Branch Trailhead off NH 16

Water Crossings

The crossing at the Rocky Branch / Iso East junction can be rock hopped by going downstream about fifty feet. The other two crossings, along Iso East and at beginning of Iso Express, were easily rock hopped on Sunday morning.

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, Isolation, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Notes

The usual first bushwhack looked extremely wet. I skipped it today. I went down to the Rocky Branch at the start of the second whack. Definitely possible to cross and there is a good monorail on the other side but the snow was soft at this elevation and didn't want to venture in without at least snowshoes. The Isolation trail before the final crossing of Rocky Branch is pretty much clear. After the crossing there's plenty of deep snow. It was mostly supportive with only a very occasional post hole but I can imagine a little bit warmer and it could be tough going. I carried microspikes but did not use them.

Parking

Only car in the lot. There's a large pile of freeze dried food bags that were left at the trailhead.

Water Crossings

On the way in, I bushwhacked around the crossings at the intersection of the Rocky Branch and Isolation trails. This saved a little time and distance and was only slightly annoying. On the way out for variety, I skipped the bushwhack and did not have any problems with the crossings. The upper crossings were also not difficult today.

Trails Used

Rocky Branch trail, bushwhacks, Davis Path, Isolation Spur

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

This was a roll of the dice that paid off big time. I had done this same hike on Monday (March, you know) with good conditions but needed it again (April, you know). I was worried about the water crossing so I packed waterproof boot covers and trash bags and was prepared for the worst. What I found was ice down low that was perfect for spikes. The usual open areas on Rocky Branch were more open than Monday. I apologized to my spikes for beating them up but had no issues. There are some open areas on the bushwhacks that also weren't there Monday. I know the bushwhacks well but will say that if you don't know them, download a GPS track if you plan to use them. The rain washed away a lot of the previous tracks which can make navigating tricky. The colder temps made the trail nice and firm but things were getting slushy again on my descent. The actual summit is pretty bare for the most part. It was great to bump into Kyle L today too! He was the only other person out.

Parking

Plenty of room and ice free

Water Crossings

I crossed successfully downstream and used a variety of rocks, logs, and creative dance moves but stayed dry and upright without employing trash bags.

Wildlife

Still in Hell

Trails Used

Rocky Branch trail, bushwhacks, Davis Path, Isolation Spur

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

I started in bare boots and used no traction until the river crossing. The snow was quite firm early this morning and I had pretty good traction even over the ice. At the water crossing, I opted for Hillsound Pros because it was getting warm and I figured the snow would be sticky plus I like the longer spikes to bite into softening snow. They worked well. The snow was balling up on my poles but my feet were pretty okay. I kept them on all the way back to my car. The trail held up well despite the temps making it to 60 degrees but the top layer totally turned to slush so I was kind of skiing all the way down. I am light enough that I stayed on top and did not posthole at all but snowshoes may be needed it you weigh more than a 5th grader. Pretty nice spring conditions out there today!

Parking

The parking area was free of ice and snow and had oodles of open spots.

Water Crossings

I opted to head to the left to cross the river. There was still the remnants of a snow bridge in places and I just checked to be sure I was on rocks and not ice. No wet feet. :) I packed trash bags due to the PTSD I had from this crossing last March but this was a piece of cake even for a very funsized human.

Wildlife

I saw one mosquito. I gave it a very dirty look.

Trails Used

Rocky Branch Trail, Bushwhack, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Some bare trail in the first two miles, then coverage stays pretty good to the top. The iso express water crossing is on its last legs, I’d expect that to be gone in the next few days. Be prepared to bring snowshoes and go on the regular trail if hiking after April 1st. A few spots on the engine hill bushwhack that are starting to melt out but still passable.

Water Crossings

ISO Express water crossing is almost gone

Trails Used

Rocky Branch Trail, Bushwhack, Davis Path

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Some bare trail in the first two miles, then coverage stays pretty good to the top. The iso express water crossing is on its last legs, I’d expect that to be gone in the next few days. Be prepared to bring snowshoes and go on the regular trail if hiking after April 1st. A few spots on the engine hill bushwhack that are starting to melt out but still passable. I posted pictures on AllTrails of the conditions.

Water Crossings

ISO Express water crossing is almost gone

Trails Used

Rocky Branch, Davis Path, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Typical spring with a bonus 20-25 degrees day, so the snow was very hard, sometimes even beside the trail, so microspikes were used throughout, though it might become needed for snowshoes soon and will continue to disintegrate and fill in with postholes. I fell through a few times, not my normal thing, but mostly in the engine hill bushwhack and ISO bushwhack, which are both very choppy, but often felt easier to step into the frozen post holes than not, so that’s why I kept spikes on, it felt easier to dance around the Swiss cheese monorail! It was exhausting, and wonderful, and striking as usual - I recommend this on a cold day but many open water areas are opening - large stretches of water already on trail with muddy patches, so I’d try this soon or wait until the snow melts completely and this turns into a swamp again! Yay!

Parking

Easy and bare cement (no ice)

Water Crossings

The crossing was still mostly snow and ice bridged, but it’s not in the typical place, you need to look to the left when you reach the river and hike maybe 20-30 feet downriver and can see the tracks across, it felt stable with one pole

Wildlife

Not yet

Trails Used

Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhacks, Davis Path, Isolation Spur

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

2-4” of fresh snow made for nice conditions right out of the parking lot. We wore spikes as did 3 others that started before us. I chose to switch to snowshoes before the first bushwhack. The trail was solid and the fresh snow made for pretty decent conditions. The usual wet spots were easy to get through/over or around. The crossing was fairly easy with careful footing. Water level was ok. We followed someone else’s tracks on the next bushwhack and it was hell! OMG ducking/diving,squeezing through total crap. Should have checked out tracks 1 or 2 more times before that point. Finally on Davis Path and pretty smooth sailing to the summit. Tossed on all the layers before heading up to the summit. On the descent we to the correct whack and life was good. No problem crossing again. Both of us had been in snowshoes for a while by now and they stayed on all the way to the car. I think the trail was nicely frosted after we finished. Conditions much better than expected!

Parking

There might have been 6 cars in the lot

Water Crossings

The big crossing still had ice and snow covered rocks which made for easy crossing with careful foot placement.

Wildlife

No bugs