alpinista
Active member
I can usually bang out trip reports with little effort. This one, I'm plum stymied. So I'll just tell it like it is:
I spent the night at the Pinkham Notch Joe Dodge Lodge, anxious as a little kid the night before Christmas. I was restless and couldn't really sleep. I was hankerin' to hit the trails. I'd planned on hitting the Rocky Branch Trail at 7 a.m. or so. But instead, I found myself standing at the trailhead by 6:30 a.m.
The weather forecast for Thursday (Sept. 23) was for mostly sunny. It didn't disappoint. I was well in the woods when the sun rose through the trees and set the forest aglow. I passed the maze of ski trails, got into a rhythm and had to force myself to slow down a bit so I could experience the woods in all their glory. Along the way, I spotted some tiny tiny frogs (or toads??) and was thankful I didn't accidentally squash them as they hopped across the trail. Anyone know if these are baby toads or if there are species that are always this tiny (about the size of my thumbnail)?
As I emerged into clearings, a bevy of birds took off. From the thud they emitted as they took flight, they seemed to be extraordinarily large, but I couldn't get a good enough view to figure out what they were.
This was just a wonderful walk in the woods. Sure, there were some patches of mud that were a tad annoying. Sure, there weren't really any views to speak of. Sure, there were times when it seemed as though I was walking smack dab in the middle of a brook bed. And of course, river crossings are never really my thing. But none of it proved to put a damper on this day.
At the first river crossing, I spent a few seconds scanning the flow and picking the best spot to cross. None appeared as though they would leave me completely free of getting my feet wet, so I took off my boots, donned my Tevas, unzipped the bottom portion of my hiking pants, and waded in! The rest of the crossings were a piece of cake.
Soon, I made it high enough that some ledgy sections emerged -- and I could see over the treetops that this was indeed a glorious day. It made me pick up my pace even more. I had a peak to bag!
I was finding I was going far faster than the AMC guidebook's pace, but I had a feeling this was one time the guidebook's formula didn't take into account the relatively easy terrain.
While along the Isolation trail, I imagined the trail map's contours in my mind's eye -- putting one foot in front of the other as it meandered north then eastward toward Davis Path.
Once along Davis Path, I could taste Isolation. I was so close -- and I nearly went past the spur path to Isolation. I spotted a nice, newer looking light brown sign noting that this was the Davis Path, and kept walking. But within seconds and maybe 20 feet farther, something clicked: "Why would there be a trail sign along a simple stretch of trail, if there weren't a turnoff here somewhere???" I backtracked and spotted the spur path: the steepest part of the trip so far!
As I emerged from the scrub, I ambled across the broad summit and took in the glorious views. Words -- even pictures -- don't do it justice. Wow! That's all I can say. It was a panoramic view of some amazing mountains, the valley down below and everything in between.
I made my way to the summit cairn and marker, and couldn't help but think of Sherpa and his angels who not that long ago, stood on this very spot and hammed it up.
After about 15 minutes of having the summit alone, I heard voices and four men made their way up from the scrub. Just in time for a summit shot. Thanks guys!
I made my way back from where I came, though I made time for a detour to the Rocky Branch Shelter #2. There was part of me that wished I'd turned this into an overnight trip, but I was glad to have a warm meal and a bunk bed awaiting me at Joe Dodge Lodge. I will save this beautiful spot for another trip.
About two hours into the return trip, my right knee and left arch were nagging at me. But I popped some aspirin and was back to a speedy pace (for me anyway!) within about 15 minutes.
I was back at the trailhead with enough time to shower and still make dinner at Pinkham.
The odyssey that began on May 7, 2000 ended on Sept. 23, 2004 -- and a new adventure will begin soon. All day, I couldn't help but think of all the peaks I'd been to and how each one is special in its own way. I don't regret a single adventure _ from the sprint down Mt. Washington to escape a thunder and lightning storm to hitting my lip, nose and forehead on a rock coming down from the Kinsmans to the meltdown below the slide on Owl's Head. And I can't help but thinking that if I can do this, then just about anyone can do this.
Anyone wanna go peakbaggin'! ??
http://community.webshots.com/album/191446620ZnjXBw
I spent the night at the Pinkham Notch Joe Dodge Lodge, anxious as a little kid the night before Christmas. I was restless and couldn't really sleep. I was hankerin' to hit the trails. I'd planned on hitting the Rocky Branch Trail at 7 a.m. or so. But instead, I found myself standing at the trailhead by 6:30 a.m.
The weather forecast for Thursday (Sept. 23) was for mostly sunny. It didn't disappoint. I was well in the woods when the sun rose through the trees and set the forest aglow. I passed the maze of ski trails, got into a rhythm and had to force myself to slow down a bit so I could experience the woods in all their glory. Along the way, I spotted some tiny tiny frogs (or toads??) and was thankful I didn't accidentally squash them as they hopped across the trail. Anyone know if these are baby toads or if there are species that are always this tiny (about the size of my thumbnail)?
As I emerged into clearings, a bevy of birds took off. From the thud they emitted as they took flight, they seemed to be extraordinarily large, but I couldn't get a good enough view to figure out what they were.
This was just a wonderful walk in the woods. Sure, there were some patches of mud that were a tad annoying. Sure, there weren't really any views to speak of. Sure, there were times when it seemed as though I was walking smack dab in the middle of a brook bed. And of course, river crossings are never really my thing. But none of it proved to put a damper on this day.
At the first river crossing, I spent a few seconds scanning the flow and picking the best spot to cross. None appeared as though they would leave me completely free of getting my feet wet, so I took off my boots, donned my Tevas, unzipped the bottom portion of my hiking pants, and waded in! The rest of the crossings were a piece of cake.
Soon, I made it high enough that some ledgy sections emerged -- and I could see over the treetops that this was indeed a glorious day. It made me pick up my pace even more. I had a peak to bag!
I was finding I was going far faster than the AMC guidebook's pace, but I had a feeling this was one time the guidebook's formula didn't take into account the relatively easy terrain.
While along the Isolation trail, I imagined the trail map's contours in my mind's eye -- putting one foot in front of the other as it meandered north then eastward toward Davis Path.
Once along Davis Path, I could taste Isolation. I was so close -- and I nearly went past the spur path to Isolation. I spotted a nice, newer looking light brown sign noting that this was the Davis Path, and kept walking. But within seconds and maybe 20 feet farther, something clicked: "Why would there be a trail sign along a simple stretch of trail, if there weren't a turnoff here somewhere???" I backtracked and spotted the spur path: the steepest part of the trip so far!
As I emerged from the scrub, I ambled across the broad summit and took in the glorious views. Words -- even pictures -- don't do it justice. Wow! That's all I can say. It was a panoramic view of some amazing mountains, the valley down below and everything in between.
I made my way to the summit cairn and marker, and couldn't help but think of Sherpa and his angels who not that long ago, stood on this very spot and hammed it up.
After about 15 minutes of having the summit alone, I heard voices and four men made their way up from the scrub. Just in time for a summit shot. Thanks guys!
I made my way back from where I came, though I made time for a detour to the Rocky Branch Shelter #2. There was part of me that wished I'd turned this into an overnight trip, but I was glad to have a warm meal and a bunk bed awaiting me at Joe Dodge Lodge. I will save this beautiful spot for another trip.
About two hours into the return trip, my right knee and left arch were nagging at me. But I popped some aspirin and was back to a speedy pace (for me anyway!) within about 15 minutes.
I was back at the trailhead with enough time to shower and still make dinner at Pinkham.
The odyssey that began on May 7, 2000 ended on Sept. 23, 2004 -- and a new adventure will begin soon. All day, I couldn't help but think of all the peaks I'd been to and how each one is special in its own way. I don't regret a single adventure _ from the sprint down Mt. Washington to escape a thunder and lightning storm to hitting my lip, nose and forehead on a rock coming down from the Kinsmans to the meltdown below the slide on Owl's Head. And I can't help but thinking that if I can do this, then just about anyone can do this.
Anyone wanna go peakbaggin'! ??
http://community.webshots.com/album/191446620ZnjXBw
Last edited:
![Grand Teton Day Hikes and National Park Map [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41DB0jvRnbL._SL500_.jpg)
![Grand Canyon, North and South Rims [Grand Canyon National Park] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/419Y-ycyVUL._SL500_.jpg)
![Yellowstone National Park [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51kGuJ72qjL._SL500_.jpg)
