bryan
New member
date: 6/15/12
trails: rocky branch trail, isolation trail, davis path, isolation spur
conditions: trail was pretty dry from rt. 16 through the initial climb becoming more muddy and wet once it level out and heads towards the height of land. from there on the route was the typical mix of mud and standing/running water much of the way to davis path. the ridge had the usual muddy spots and teeter totter bog bridges. noted some irene damage along isolation trail where it just missed getting washed out about 1/4 mile north of the shelter and the second crossing now has a steep drop down to the rocky branch where the bank was washed away. haven't been on this section of trail since the storm as i've used the bushwack from the height of land. water crossings were all rock hoppable with little difficulty and minimal stepping in water. bugs not an issue except on the summit where the black flies were nasty.
equipment: nothing in particular.
comments: a beautiful day on isolation. figured i'd stick to the trails today as the crossings were relatively low and i realized this might have been the first time i've used the rocky branch route to isolation without some sort of bypass, bushwack, etc. being involved at some point. the going was actually quite quick for the most part including my summit stay given the bugs. views were spectacular. great to be out.
bryan
[email protected]
trails: rocky branch trail, isolation trail, davis path, isolation spur
conditions: trail was pretty dry from rt. 16 through the initial climb becoming more muddy and wet once it level out and heads towards the height of land. from there on the route was the typical mix of mud and standing/running water much of the way to davis path. the ridge had the usual muddy spots and teeter totter bog bridges. noted some irene damage along isolation trail where it just missed getting washed out about 1/4 mile north of the shelter and the second crossing now has a steep drop down to the rocky branch where the bank was washed away. haven't been on this section of trail since the storm as i've used the bushwack from the height of land. water crossings were all rock hoppable with little difficulty and minimal stepping in water. bugs not an issue except on the summit where the black flies were nasty.
equipment: nothing in particular.
comments: a beautiful day on isolation. figured i'd stick to the trails today as the crossings were relatively low and i realized this might have been the first time i've used the rocky branch route to isolation without some sort of bypass, bushwack, etc. being involved at some point. the going was actually quite quick for the most part including my summit stay given the bugs. views were spectacular. great to be out.
bryan
[email protected]
