With the official winter hiking season coming to an end this month I wanted to hike another summit that I need for my winter 48 4,000 footers. I would be hiking to the remote summit of Mount Isolation (4,003') with Jill and Larry. Just before leaving the house I checked the weather. The forecast called for clouds and temps in the 30's with possible flurries later in the day. Our route would take us up the Rocky Branch Trail to the Engine Hill bushwhack over to Isolation Trail and onto the Davis Path with a short spur path to the summit of Mount Isolation.
We met at the Rocky Branch Trail parking lot. The first order of business was to decide on whether or not to bring the snowshoes. After some discussion we decided to leave the snowshoes behind. I think I made the case to not carry them based on weather conditions and trail reports. I would accept the blame if we needed them later in the hike. There was a solo hiker that left before us carrying his snowshoes.
We started the hike at 7:00 AM. The trail was packed and solid. We started out bare booting but soon put on microspikes as the trail was a little slick and the traction helped with the minor slipping. It was a steady climb until the height of the land when the trail started to drop. At about 2.7 miles we came to the Engine Hill bushwhack. There was a group of three hikers that came up behind us at the bushwhack junction. One of them was doing her final winter #48 4,000 footer. Two other hikers passed by all of us while we were standing there chatting.
Someone has carved a "T" into a tree at the beginning of the bushwhack. There were no tracks continuing on the Rocky Branch Trail and the bushwhack was well broken out. This was my first time through the bushwhack. I had seen photos of the birch glades through this area and was looking forward to finally seeing them for myself. It did not disappoint. We followed the trail through a beautiful, open forest of birch trees with bright white snow below and a deep blue sky above...it was amazing!
The bushwhack comes out onto the Isolation Trail. It was along here that we did three water crossings when only one was necessary. As we were making our way across the first water crossing we watched the three hikers behind us keep following the trail on the same side of the river. We then had to cross back over further up the trail and then one more time after that. We would only do the one crossing on the way back.
The Isolation Trail follows a bushwhack just before coming out onto the Davis Path. We went from blue sky and sunshine to a cloudy overcast. It would stay that way for the entire hike, clouds to the west and blue sky to the east. We made the steep final ascent to the summit and saw all six hikers at the top that we had seen along the way. We were handed party horn blowers to celebrate hiker Denise's winter #48 summit.
We took a nice break on the summit. After putting on another layer I ate lunch and took some photos. The gray jays were also visiting. While there were good views to enjoy the high summits remained in the clouds. Our break didn't last long and we started our long hike back to the trailhead parking lot.
The hike back started in the clouds but by the time we got to the bushwhack and birch glades we were back in blue skies and full sunshine. The snow had gotten soft in the warm temperatures and sunshine but there was still no problem with just the microspikes. We got back to the Rocky Branch Trail and it was an enjoyable hike down to the trailhead.
Just before we got back to the parking lot there were light snow flurries falling even with the temperature above freezing. We returned to the trailhead in 7 hours and 20 minutes. My AllTrails iphone app had stopped along the way and I had to restart it so my best estimate for distance is 13.2 miles. Without the bushwhack it is 14.4 miles. This hike was better than I had expected with great weather and good trail conditions. I was glad we left the snowshoes behind.
This can be a very long solo hike so I was glad I was able to join Jill and Larry for this one. It was a very enjoyable hike and my #41 winter summit of the 48 4,000 footers!
Enjoy the photos and video!
Moon setting just before arriving at the trailhead parking area
Early morning sun shining on the Mount Washington cone
The hike starts here
Ski Trail to the right and Rocky Branch Trail to the left
Rocky Branch Trail
Engine Hill bushwhack starts here
Entering the birch glades
Arrow in the snow points to the right trail that is the correct one to follow
This tree splits the trail one goes high and one goes low
We take the high trail
More beautiful birch glades
About to leave the birch glades
Isolation Trail
First unnecessary water crossing
Second unnecessary water crossing
The only necessary water crossing
Lots of these holes with snow bridges along the trail
A view of the high summits covered in clouds
Mount Isolation just up ahead
Making a turn to the summit
The steep final ascent to the summit
Denise was with another group completing her winter 48 summit on Isolation
Jill is sharing her sandwich
Gray jay waiting
Standing on the summit
View from the summit
Our only water crossing on the way back out
Larry in a wet hole
Larry is back on the trail
A view toward Mount Isolation
Returning through the birch glades
Wet boggy area along the bushwhack
Stairs Mountain
Wet trail
Tree full of mushrooms
Trail is opening up
Brook cuts a path through the snow
Back at the trailhead after 7:20 and about 13.2 miles
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
No comments:
Post a Comment