BIGEarl
Well-known member
November 2, 2008: Isolation
Trails: Glen Boulder Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur, Isolation Trail, Rocky Branch Trail
Summits: Isolation
Hikers: LRiz (Larisa), Kevinmac (Kevin McAllister), Pokey (Aldea), Peakbagger (Dennis), and me.
The day’s plan was to hike a traverse from the Glen Ellis Falls parking area (also the trailhead for the Glen Boulder Trail) to the north trailhead for the Rocky Branch Trail. We started by all meeting at the Rocky Branch trailhead, left a couple vehicles, piled all of the people and gear into the truck, and drove to Glen Ellis Falls for our start. At the trailhead the temperature was showing ~29 degrees, no wind, and no sun – yet. The sky was completely clear and generally stayed that way all day. What a day it was.
We wasted little time at the Glen Boulder trailhead and quickly were on the climb. The initial section of our hike includes 3.2 miles and 3200 feet of elevation as we made our way to the Davis Path. Along the way we found great trail conditions that became snow and ice covered starting ~3800 feet. We were able to continue with bare boots all the way to the Davis Path with careful foot placement. A couple hundred feet in elevation below Glen Boulder we broke above the trees and found a very nice wind waiting for us. Fortunately, the south side of Glen Boulder was sheltered from the wind, fully exposed to the sun, and a great place for our first break. There, Pokey tended to an injured finger which was a victim of a fall. I think we all added a layer and continued the climb.
The rate of climb moderates as it heads along the ridge to Slide Peak. Much of this is also a sheltered hike in the high scrub. Once we broke out of the scrub and reached Slide Peak we were treated to incredible views in all directions. Slowly we made our way up the final 350 feet of elevation and .6 miles leading to the junction with the Davis Path. At this point it was late morning and time for some lunch. We descended a short distance to a sunny and somewhat sheltered place for a quick break. From this place we could see down (over 1000 feet) to our target for the day – Mount Isolation. Ahead of us was a little over two miles of mostly downhill (~1350 loss and 350 feet net gain) leading to Mount Isolation. The trail is generally snow and ice covered for the full distance. Traction would have been very helpful, but… Eventually we made it to the Isolation West trails junction with the Davis Path but became somewhat spread out along the way. There we found a couple large rocks and a log situated in the sun and sheltered where we decided to regroup. Peakbagger and Pokey cruised in and we continued the hike to Isolation. Soon, I managed to hit a slick patch of ice and went down. Traction would have been very helpful, but… Nothing major so we continued. After passing the Isolation East trails junction the trail became less snow covered and much more ice covered. Foot placement became much trickier. I was pretty sure this was only a warm-up to the conditions that were waiting on the Mount Isolation Spur. Sure enough, we reached the spur path and found significant icing on the ledges leading to the summit area. Traction would have been very helpful, but… We continued and somehow managed to reach the clear summit ledge without a single fall. Peakbagger and Pokey were still making their way to the summit.
On Isolation we found no wind, warm sun, and great views in all directions. We got lots of pictures and had a quick break. We also decided traction would be very helpful, and pulled it out. I had Stabilicers and Kevin and Larisa had Microspikes. After a few minutes Peakbagger and Pokey pulled in and I got a few more summit shots. None of us planned to spend much time on the summit – besides, we hiked in via Glen Boulder and Davis Path with views that are tough to beat. We had ~7.3 miles and 300 feet of elevation to cover on the way out, plus there were a number of stream crossings that could be difficult. We all set off on the hike out but Peakbagger and Pokey encouraged us to hike ahead and they would be along at their own pace – they planned to hike a relaxed pace. Off we went.
With added traction the hike off Isolation and back to the Isolation East trails junction went quickly. We made the turn onto the Mount Isolation Trail, passed through the blowdown field that exists in the area and were soon generally following the Rocky Branch. Roughly a half mile along the way we removed the added traction and watched our step. There were still patches of ice but more bare ground and rocks than ice. The Isolation Trail is very wet with a large amount of mud pits and standing water. There are adequate rocks and logs to work with but Kevin managed a couple demonstrations of what not to do. Soon we reached the first crossing. The crossings are all a little tricky not because of high water but because the exposed rocks are getting iced up (wet ice is really slick). In a number of cases, the rocks that are an inch or so underwater provided the best footing (clean with no ice).
Each crossing was different. Each crossing was more difficult that the last. Each crossing was handled ending in relatively dry feet. No boots were soaked on the crossings (except for the times Kevin was washing mud from his boots – but I digress).
When we left the summit of Isolation I mentioned it was my hope to reach the height-of-land near Engine Hill before dark. We reached the junction with the Rocky Branch Trail, made the turn, and cleared the final crossing of the Rocky Branch with plenty of daylight remaining. I knew the climb to the height-of-land was a wet and muddy place but the conditions we found were well past what I remembered. A very large section of the initial mile is a running brook. There are adequate rocks and logs but never an opportunity to relax and just hike. Gradually we left the running brook and found seemingly endless mud. Now, that’s what I remember. Carefully we made our way past the mud, past the height-of-land, and hit the final 2.8 mile descent to the trailhead.
The leaves are deep and foot placement is tricky. Roughly two miles down this final section we stopped to pull out the headlights. We were all having a tough time with the trail – occasional hidden mud and hidden rocks and roots combined to make for a difficult final hike out. Larisa was leading the way as she did for much of the day and was doing a great job. Later I learned this was also her first experience of hiking with a headlight. I think she enjoyed it. Soon, we noticed a car headlight through the trees. We knew the trailhead was just ahead. A couple more turns and we were in the parking area preparing to head back to the start to retrieve the truck.
We started the day and ended the day a few minutes later than planned. In between we had a great hike with outstanding conditions. It’s always fun to meet new people to hike with and I really enjoyed meeting Larisa, Aldea, and Dennis. I definitely hope we hike together again soon.
Pictures will follow.
I’ve posted the pictures from our hike to Isolation.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: Glen Boulder Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur, Isolation Trail, Rocky Branch Trail
Summits: Isolation
Hikers: LRiz (Larisa), Kevinmac (Kevin McAllister), Pokey (Aldea), Peakbagger (Dennis), and me.
The day’s plan was to hike a traverse from the Glen Ellis Falls parking area (also the trailhead for the Glen Boulder Trail) to the north trailhead for the Rocky Branch Trail. We started by all meeting at the Rocky Branch trailhead, left a couple vehicles, piled all of the people and gear into the truck, and drove to Glen Ellis Falls for our start. At the trailhead the temperature was showing ~29 degrees, no wind, and no sun – yet. The sky was completely clear and generally stayed that way all day. What a day it was.
We wasted little time at the Glen Boulder trailhead and quickly were on the climb. The initial section of our hike includes 3.2 miles and 3200 feet of elevation as we made our way to the Davis Path. Along the way we found great trail conditions that became snow and ice covered starting ~3800 feet. We were able to continue with bare boots all the way to the Davis Path with careful foot placement. A couple hundred feet in elevation below Glen Boulder we broke above the trees and found a very nice wind waiting for us. Fortunately, the south side of Glen Boulder was sheltered from the wind, fully exposed to the sun, and a great place for our first break. There, Pokey tended to an injured finger which was a victim of a fall. I think we all added a layer and continued the climb.
The rate of climb moderates as it heads along the ridge to Slide Peak. Much of this is also a sheltered hike in the high scrub. Once we broke out of the scrub and reached Slide Peak we were treated to incredible views in all directions. Slowly we made our way up the final 350 feet of elevation and .6 miles leading to the junction with the Davis Path. At this point it was late morning and time for some lunch. We descended a short distance to a sunny and somewhat sheltered place for a quick break. From this place we could see down (over 1000 feet) to our target for the day – Mount Isolation. Ahead of us was a little over two miles of mostly downhill (~1350 loss and 350 feet net gain) leading to Mount Isolation. The trail is generally snow and ice covered for the full distance. Traction would have been very helpful, but… Eventually we made it to the Isolation West trails junction with the Davis Path but became somewhat spread out along the way. There we found a couple large rocks and a log situated in the sun and sheltered where we decided to regroup. Peakbagger and Pokey cruised in and we continued the hike to Isolation. Soon, I managed to hit a slick patch of ice and went down. Traction would have been very helpful, but… Nothing major so we continued. After passing the Isolation East trails junction the trail became less snow covered and much more ice covered. Foot placement became much trickier. I was pretty sure this was only a warm-up to the conditions that were waiting on the Mount Isolation Spur. Sure enough, we reached the spur path and found significant icing on the ledges leading to the summit area. Traction would have been very helpful, but… We continued and somehow managed to reach the clear summit ledge without a single fall. Peakbagger and Pokey were still making their way to the summit.
On Isolation we found no wind, warm sun, and great views in all directions. We got lots of pictures and had a quick break. We also decided traction would be very helpful, and pulled it out. I had Stabilicers and Kevin and Larisa had Microspikes. After a few minutes Peakbagger and Pokey pulled in and I got a few more summit shots. None of us planned to spend much time on the summit – besides, we hiked in via Glen Boulder and Davis Path with views that are tough to beat. We had ~7.3 miles and 300 feet of elevation to cover on the way out, plus there were a number of stream crossings that could be difficult. We all set off on the hike out but Peakbagger and Pokey encouraged us to hike ahead and they would be along at their own pace – they planned to hike a relaxed pace. Off we went.
With added traction the hike off Isolation and back to the Isolation East trails junction went quickly. We made the turn onto the Mount Isolation Trail, passed through the blowdown field that exists in the area and were soon generally following the Rocky Branch. Roughly a half mile along the way we removed the added traction and watched our step. There were still patches of ice but more bare ground and rocks than ice. The Isolation Trail is very wet with a large amount of mud pits and standing water. There are adequate rocks and logs to work with but Kevin managed a couple demonstrations of what not to do. Soon we reached the first crossing. The crossings are all a little tricky not because of high water but because the exposed rocks are getting iced up (wet ice is really slick). In a number of cases, the rocks that are an inch or so underwater provided the best footing (clean with no ice).
Each crossing was different. Each crossing was more difficult that the last. Each crossing was handled ending in relatively dry feet. No boots were soaked on the crossings (except for the times Kevin was washing mud from his boots – but I digress).
When we left the summit of Isolation I mentioned it was my hope to reach the height-of-land near Engine Hill before dark. We reached the junction with the Rocky Branch Trail, made the turn, and cleared the final crossing of the Rocky Branch with plenty of daylight remaining. I knew the climb to the height-of-land was a wet and muddy place but the conditions we found were well past what I remembered. A very large section of the initial mile is a running brook. There are adequate rocks and logs but never an opportunity to relax and just hike. Gradually we left the running brook and found seemingly endless mud. Now, that’s what I remember. Carefully we made our way past the mud, past the height-of-land, and hit the final 2.8 mile descent to the trailhead.
The leaves are deep and foot placement is tricky. Roughly two miles down this final section we stopped to pull out the headlights. We were all having a tough time with the trail – occasional hidden mud and hidden rocks and roots combined to make for a difficult final hike out. Larisa was leading the way as she did for much of the day and was doing a great job. Later I learned this was also her first experience of hiking with a headlight. I think she enjoyed it. Soon, we noticed a car headlight through the trees. We knew the trailhead was just ahead. A couple more turns and we were in the parking area preparing to head back to the start to retrieve the truck.
We started the day and ended the day a few minutes later than planned. In between we had a great hike with outstanding conditions. It’s always fun to meet new people to hike with and I really enjoyed meeting Larisa, Aldea, and Dennis. I definitely hope we hike together again soon.
Pictures will follow.
I’ve posted the pictures from our hike to Isolation.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
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