bryan
New member
date: 5/22/11
trails: rocky branch trail, isolation trail, davis path isolation spur, bushwacks
conditons: rocky branch was wet and muddy as expected. used the engine hill bushwack staying around 3200ft. was quite wet, muddy and soggy through the bushwack, but some nice flowers and neat scenery in the foggy glades. isolation trail more of the same with lots of wet and mud. snow starts after the upper water crossing interspersed with lots of water. mostly crumbling and undercut monorail. on the way in we cut through the "winter route" and up the gully to davis path. gully had deep undermined snow and was sort of crappy going. followed the trail on the way down which had much less snow and was more pleasant. davis path had the same mix of monorail snow, wet and mud. spur path was mostly clear to the summit. the one crossing we had to make of the rocky branch was a bit high and fast. went to an often used spot maybe 35 or so yards up stream and crossed relatively easily with a bit of stepping on submerged rocks.
equipment: we barebooted the whole hike. light traction might have been useful for some of the snowy sections, but is really unnecessary.
comments: ended up being a nice day for this hike. didn't look like the fog was going to lift, but we were pleasantly surprised to pop out on the summit and find a nice undercast with really neat views particularly to carrigain/hancock and the carter range. good looks to the southern presidentials and washingtons summit popped out momentarily as well. loads of moose sign all through the bushwack on engine hill and flowers starting to come in too. thanks to cynthia for a great hike.
bryan
[email protected]
trails: rocky branch trail, isolation trail, davis path isolation spur, bushwacks
conditons: rocky branch was wet and muddy as expected. used the engine hill bushwack staying around 3200ft. was quite wet, muddy and soggy through the bushwack, but some nice flowers and neat scenery in the foggy glades. isolation trail more of the same with lots of wet and mud. snow starts after the upper water crossing interspersed with lots of water. mostly crumbling and undercut monorail. on the way in we cut through the "winter route" and up the gully to davis path. gully had deep undermined snow and was sort of crappy going. followed the trail on the way down which had much less snow and was more pleasant. davis path had the same mix of monorail snow, wet and mud. spur path was mostly clear to the summit. the one crossing we had to make of the rocky branch was a bit high and fast. went to an often used spot maybe 35 or so yards up stream and crossed relatively easily with a bit of stepping on submerged rocks.
equipment: we barebooted the whole hike. light traction might have been useful for some of the snowy sections, but is really unnecessary.
comments: ended up being a nice day for this hike. didn't look like the fog was going to lift, but we were pleasantly surprised to pop out on the summit and find a nice undercast with really neat views particularly to carrigain/hancock and the carter range. good looks to the southern presidentials and washingtons summit popped out momentarily as well. loads of moose sign all through the bushwack on engine hill and flowers starting to come in too. thanks to cynthia for a great hike.
bryan
[email protected]
