Mount Isolation

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