Dates - June 8 and 9, 2013
Peak - Mt. Isolation (36/48; 38/100)
Trails - Rocky Branch Trail; Isolation Trail; Davis Path
Companions - Ted and Sonsie
Left Boston around 2:45 on Saturday and drove up to the trail head off Rte. 16. Made good time getting there, though might have liked to not be racing the sunset, as I wanted to peruse the goods at Ted's tarp shanty down the road. Lot of cool toys in there.
Hit the trail and hauled up to Rocky Branch Shelter. Saw two guys sleeping at the primitive campsite. Were surprised to find nobody else in the shelter. Except a little mouse. Our beloved guard dog didn't even notice. To busy chasing sticks.
Had hauled in some firewood so made a fire in the fire pit. Nothing in the area would have burned otherwise - everything soaked from the remnants of Andrea storm. Refilled on some water and dunked our heads in to refresh.
Put an additional poncho over the roof because it was still drizzling and that roof could use a face lift. Slipped on a log at some point when walking around and jammed my thumb on the ground. Impeded things the next day but nothing too bad.
Dinner was buffalo chicken roll ups, cheese curls and some creamed corn. The buffalo chicken was pretty runny and the creamed corn was too cold, but hunger and exhaustion made it all delicious anyways. Dog played some glow in the dark frisbee. We played some dominoes for dollars. I lost twice. Couldn't get anything going. Stars came out for a bit, but on and off rain all night. May have seen another headlamp wander by at some point in the night but not sure. Was pretty groggy.
Hit the trail the next morning around 8:30. No rush. Ditched some weight near the Isolation Trail branch, and took off up the mountain.
Lot of water. Stream crossings were technical, as was the trail itself most of the time, as it had basically turned into a stream.
Lot of blowdowns still from Irene. QUESTION - is an unaffiliated hiker allowed to bring along a saw and clear out logs here and there if they have the energy? If so, I may bring one along next time and finally give something back.
Was surprised to find no trail blazes the whole trip. This was our first time doing Isolation, and, though I don't find the elevation gain or grade to be anything special, the trip was ultimately pretty draining in light of the technicality. I'd be curious to hear whether others feel the same after hiking it during dry conditions.
Made it to the top eventually with a few slips but no falls. Ran into a few other dogs along the way, one of whom did a big cannon ball into a stream crossing. Enjoyed the view from the top (capped by clouds) for a while, then returned to the tree cover. Temperature all day was pretty perfect, though would have welcomed some more sunshine.
On the way back, ran across one of the larger hiking groups I've seen, maybe totaling 20 people but still managing to stay tight as a group somehow. Eventually got to one of the final main river crossings and decided to dunk in a pool. Freezing cold but refreshing. Dried off and resumed. At this point, saw what looked to be a bike shoe (w/ built in clip on orange sole) stuck on a tree branch - if that's yours and you lost it, it's still there. It was on the western side of the river at the first crossing immediately north of Rocky Branch Shelter 2.
Eventually made it all the way back to the car, but again it was very slippy and/or technical at parts, with mud patches frequently, making poles very helpful, if not necessary. Also making for some very muddy paws on the doggy.
Consequently, when we reached the river bridge five seconds into our return trip, we stopped we pulled over, hiked down, and tossed in the pooch to clean her off.
Tried to grab some Muddy Moose on the way back but they don't allow dogs to be tied up outside. Have to say that it the first negative mark I have for Muddy Moose, as that is where we stop almost without fail after trips up into Pinkham or off the eastern Kangamangus. Ordered some take out and ran to EMS while waiting to buy some buckles that I'm planning on using to modify my bag to make strapping things to the outside easier, as the existing straps are too small for sleeping bag, tent, or sleeping pad. I have delusions of some day constructing a pack of my own to get it just the way I want it.
Peak - Mt. Isolation (36/48; 38/100)
Trails - Rocky Branch Trail; Isolation Trail; Davis Path
Companions - Ted and Sonsie
Left Boston around 2:45 on Saturday and drove up to the trail head off Rte. 16. Made good time getting there, though might have liked to not be racing the sunset, as I wanted to peruse the goods at Ted's tarp shanty down the road. Lot of cool toys in there.
Hit the trail and hauled up to Rocky Branch Shelter. Saw two guys sleeping at the primitive campsite. Were surprised to find nobody else in the shelter. Except a little mouse. Our beloved guard dog didn't even notice. To busy chasing sticks.
Had hauled in some firewood so made a fire in the fire pit. Nothing in the area would have burned otherwise - everything soaked from the remnants of Andrea storm. Refilled on some water and dunked our heads in to refresh.
Put an additional poncho over the roof because it was still drizzling and that roof could use a face lift. Slipped on a log at some point when walking around and jammed my thumb on the ground. Impeded things the next day but nothing too bad.
Dinner was buffalo chicken roll ups, cheese curls and some creamed corn. The buffalo chicken was pretty runny and the creamed corn was too cold, but hunger and exhaustion made it all delicious anyways. Dog played some glow in the dark frisbee. We played some dominoes for dollars. I lost twice. Couldn't get anything going. Stars came out for a bit, but on and off rain all night. May have seen another headlamp wander by at some point in the night but not sure. Was pretty groggy.
Hit the trail the next morning around 8:30. No rush. Ditched some weight near the Isolation Trail branch, and took off up the mountain.
Lot of water. Stream crossings were technical, as was the trail itself most of the time, as it had basically turned into a stream.
Lot of blowdowns still from Irene. QUESTION - is an unaffiliated hiker allowed to bring along a saw and clear out logs here and there if they have the energy? If so, I may bring one along next time and finally give something back.
Was surprised to find no trail blazes the whole trip. This was our first time doing Isolation, and, though I don't find the elevation gain or grade to be anything special, the trip was ultimately pretty draining in light of the technicality. I'd be curious to hear whether others feel the same after hiking it during dry conditions.
Made it to the top eventually with a few slips but no falls. Ran into a few other dogs along the way, one of whom did a big cannon ball into a stream crossing. Enjoyed the view from the top (capped by clouds) for a while, then returned to the tree cover. Temperature all day was pretty perfect, though would have welcomed some more sunshine.
On the way back, ran across one of the larger hiking groups I've seen, maybe totaling 20 people but still managing to stay tight as a group somehow. Eventually got to one of the final main river crossings and decided to dunk in a pool. Freezing cold but refreshing. Dried off and resumed. At this point, saw what looked to be a bike shoe (w/ built in clip on orange sole) stuck on a tree branch - if that's yours and you lost it, it's still there. It was on the western side of the river at the first crossing immediately north of Rocky Branch Shelter 2.
Eventually made it all the way back to the car, but again it was very slippy and/or technical at parts, with mud patches frequently, making poles very helpful, if not necessary. Also making for some very muddy paws on the doggy.
Consequently, when we reached the river bridge five seconds into our return trip, we stopped we pulled over, hiked down, and tossed in the pooch to clean her off.
Tried to grab some Muddy Moose on the way back but they don't allow dogs to be tied up outside. Have to say that it the first negative mark I have for Muddy Moose, as that is where we stop almost without fail after trips up into Pinkham or off the eastern Kangamangus. Ordered some take out and ran to EMS while waiting to buy some buckles that I'm planning on using to modify my bag to make strapping things to the outside easier, as the existing straps are too small for sleeping bag, tent, or sleeping pad. I have delusions of some day constructing a pack of my own to get it just the way I want it.
Gear Recommendations: poles a big help; very muddy so plan footwear accordingly; chilly enough for sweater at night but jacket not needed
What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: belt and tarp
What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: belt and tarp
What I Brought But Didn't Need: n/a
Lesson Learned: check your gear before you leave - I had new poles ordered online from REI and noticed that they're different sized - need to return
Next Up? Hoping to do my first one-day pemi loop at some point this summer. Will have a see if I get a day by myself to do it. That will give me the chance to nab Lincoln/Lafayette/Garfield, which Ted has done but I haven't. May do Madison with Dorothy in a couple weeks, or may opt to head further north into Maine to grab some NE 100's so Ted and I can stay on track to finish together, as I already have seven other whites he doesn't (southern presidentials and tom/wiley/field). Also planned at some point is a hopeful two-day-one-night bike trip from Portland to Boston with the girls traveling up with us and meeting us halfway after day one to camp out together.
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