BIGEarl
Well-known member
August 5, 2007: Isolation
Trails: Rocky Branch, Mt. Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur (round trip)
Distance – Elevation: 19.4 miles, 2,903 feet
New Hampshire (Brian) posted a hike to Isolation for Sunday and called it “the fun way”. Most folks hike Isolation as a day hike from Route 16 with either a round trip in and out on the Rocky Branch Trail or Glen Boulder Trail or as a traverse that combines both, in all cases starting and ending at route 16. These hikes vary from 12 miles to 14.6 miles (moderate to long day hikes). This hike started from the south end of the Rocky Branch Trail at the end of Jericho Road in Jackson and traveled north to Mt. Isolation Trail, Davis Path, and the Isolation Spur. Even though it is nearly five miles longer than the longest usual day hike approach, this route is a real treat.
We planned to meet at the trailhead lot at 8:30am and start hiking soon after. I knew Brian’s plan was to arrive early and decided to do the same. I never hit a red light all the way to the trailhead from Nashua. Add this to the extra early start, I found myself at the trailhead at 7:30am. I enjoyed some coffee and the rest of my breakfast and took some trailhead pictures. Eventually, Hikerfast, New Hampshire, and Jen pulled in. Not long after ScenicNH arrived. The group was complete and we were ready to hike.
The day was cool and clear with very low humidity and a light breeze from the north – ideal conditions. The Rocky Branch trail from the south end follows the Rocky Branch of the Saco River crossing it several times before reaching the junction with the Mt. Isolation Trail, where it turns and heads east to route 16. We were hiking this southern portion of the trail leading to the Mt. Isolation Trail. Initially, the trail follows a series of logging roads that eventually lead to the junction with the Stairs Col Trail at 2 miles. This section is very similar to the Wilderness Trail, without the railroad ties, gaining only 300 feet in these first two miles – definitely an easy warm-up for the day. From here the trail is more trail-like and less road-like. We worked our way toward the Mt. Isolation Trail and started to cross the Rocky Branch a number of times. No crossing was difficult due to the low water conditions in the stream. It’s easy to understand the name of the stream. We spent a fair amount of time photographing the features of the stream bed, which includes some very huge boulders. Brian is a big guy but quite small compared to some of the boulders.
The Rocky Branch Trail leading to the Mt. Isolation Trail also gives the impression it may be an abandoned trail. There are sections where the trail is completely overgrown. I’ve been on bushwhacks that were more open. The final one mile leading to Rocky Branch Shelter #2 is perhaps the densest with a number of mud bogs. The trail in this area follows the very edge of the bank above the stream (at times 30 to 40 feet above). A misstep or trip over a hidden stump or stone could send you over the edge. Be careful!
We reached the shelter ahead of “book time” and stopped for a break. Hikerfast pulled out a stove, pan, and large bag of steak tips. We’re having fun now! (Thanks Bob!) He had prepared the steak tips the night before and they were great! We sat and enjoyed the snack and the day for 30 to 45 minutes and finally re-packed our things and headed off, changing to the Mt. Isolation Trail.
The Mt. Isolation Trail continues to follow the Rocky Branch upstream crossing a number of times along the way. The trail is generally rougher than the section of the Rocky Branch Trail we followed initially and the elevation gain becomes greater but never really significant. We worked our way back and forth across the stream, through a number of muddy trail sections, and finally left the stream roughly a mile before reaching the Davis Path. Along this section we started to see other hikers out for the day. One group of three (Father, Mother, and Daughter – I assume) were also headed for Isolation but came via the Rocky Branch Trail on Route 16. There were other hikers headed out. The final section to the Davis Path is through a dense area of spruce where there has been significant blowdown damage. The blowdowns are cleared but the trail is tight in many areas.
From the Mt. Isolation Trail – Davis Path junction it is a short one mile to the summit and only ~153 feet of elevation with 53 coming in the final .1 mile on the Isolation Spur. We covered this section quickly and soon found ourselves on the open summit area of Mt. Isolation enjoying the great 360 degree views it has to offer. The three hikers that we met on the Mt. Isolation Trail were there along with one other couple. We relaxed in the sun, enjoyed the light breeze, had refreshment, took pictures, laughed and joked for probably an hour before deciding it was time to go. We packed our things and the next objective was the Rocky Branch and some water – a few of us had or would soon run out.
We made our way back down to the Davis Path, then the Mt. Isolation Trail – through the blowdown mess in the spruce and finally back to the first main stream crossing. Brian was quicker on the draw than me and he pulled out his filter. We reloaded our water supplies for the hike out and were quickly underway once again.
Continuing on we went back through the mud bogs on the Mt. Isolation Trail, multiple stream crossings still with dry feet, and once again at Rocky Branch Shelter #2. On the way through this section we came upon Pucknuts (Bill) and Brownie (Jeff) out for a week of backpacking in the wilderness. After visiting for a while we were all off on our separate ways. At the shelter we again stopped for a quick break, relief, and refreshment. From here, 13.3 miles done and only 6.1 miles to go, we set off through the overgrown portion of the Rocky Branch Trail and down to the huge boulders. Then, the trail opened, we reached the Stairs Col Trail and were again hiking on an old logging road. Based on the time we used hiking from the shelter it looked like we had only forty minutes to the trailhead (and that’s exactly how it worked out).
We managed to step into the trailhead lot and never needed headlights. It seemed like we took a very casual approach to the day but we covered quite a distance and finished earlier than I expected.
What a great hike to Isolation! This is probably not a good hike to try in high water conditions but for us and our day it was perfect. One additional warning – anybody planning to hike with Brian should be prepared to be entertained. He is a real fun to hike with. And, when Brian stopped to take a breath Hikerfast was there to fill the dead air. What a day!
I've posted some of the pictures from the day.
Straight to the slideshow.
BIGEarl's Pictures (index).
Trails: Rocky Branch, Mt. Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Spur (round trip)
Distance – Elevation: 19.4 miles, 2,903 feet
New Hampshire (Brian) posted a hike to Isolation for Sunday and called it “the fun way”. Most folks hike Isolation as a day hike from Route 16 with either a round trip in and out on the Rocky Branch Trail or Glen Boulder Trail or as a traverse that combines both, in all cases starting and ending at route 16. These hikes vary from 12 miles to 14.6 miles (moderate to long day hikes). This hike started from the south end of the Rocky Branch Trail at the end of Jericho Road in Jackson and traveled north to Mt. Isolation Trail, Davis Path, and the Isolation Spur. Even though it is nearly five miles longer than the longest usual day hike approach, this route is a real treat.
We planned to meet at the trailhead lot at 8:30am and start hiking soon after. I knew Brian’s plan was to arrive early and decided to do the same. I never hit a red light all the way to the trailhead from Nashua. Add this to the extra early start, I found myself at the trailhead at 7:30am. I enjoyed some coffee and the rest of my breakfast and took some trailhead pictures. Eventually, Hikerfast, New Hampshire, and Jen pulled in. Not long after ScenicNH arrived. The group was complete and we were ready to hike.
The day was cool and clear with very low humidity and a light breeze from the north – ideal conditions. The Rocky Branch trail from the south end follows the Rocky Branch of the Saco River crossing it several times before reaching the junction with the Mt. Isolation Trail, where it turns and heads east to route 16. We were hiking this southern portion of the trail leading to the Mt. Isolation Trail. Initially, the trail follows a series of logging roads that eventually lead to the junction with the Stairs Col Trail at 2 miles. This section is very similar to the Wilderness Trail, without the railroad ties, gaining only 300 feet in these first two miles – definitely an easy warm-up for the day. From here the trail is more trail-like and less road-like. We worked our way toward the Mt. Isolation Trail and started to cross the Rocky Branch a number of times. No crossing was difficult due to the low water conditions in the stream. It’s easy to understand the name of the stream. We spent a fair amount of time photographing the features of the stream bed, which includes some very huge boulders. Brian is a big guy but quite small compared to some of the boulders.
The Rocky Branch Trail leading to the Mt. Isolation Trail also gives the impression it may be an abandoned trail. There are sections where the trail is completely overgrown. I’ve been on bushwhacks that were more open. The final one mile leading to Rocky Branch Shelter #2 is perhaps the densest with a number of mud bogs. The trail in this area follows the very edge of the bank above the stream (at times 30 to 40 feet above). A misstep or trip over a hidden stump or stone could send you over the edge. Be careful!
We reached the shelter ahead of “book time” and stopped for a break. Hikerfast pulled out a stove, pan, and large bag of steak tips. We’re having fun now! (Thanks Bob!) He had prepared the steak tips the night before and they were great! We sat and enjoyed the snack and the day for 30 to 45 minutes and finally re-packed our things and headed off, changing to the Mt. Isolation Trail.
The Mt. Isolation Trail continues to follow the Rocky Branch upstream crossing a number of times along the way. The trail is generally rougher than the section of the Rocky Branch Trail we followed initially and the elevation gain becomes greater but never really significant. We worked our way back and forth across the stream, through a number of muddy trail sections, and finally left the stream roughly a mile before reaching the Davis Path. Along this section we started to see other hikers out for the day. One group of three (Father, Mother, and Daughter – I assume) were also headed for Isolation but came via the Rocky Branch Trail on Route 16. There were other hikers headed out. The final section to the Davis Path is through a dense area of spruce where there has been significant blowdown damage. The blowdowns are cleared but the trail is tight in many areas.
From the Mt. Isolation Trail – Davis Path junction it is a short one mile to the summit and only ~153 feet of elevation with 53 coming in the final .1 mile on the Isolation Spur. We covered this section quickly and soon found ourselves on the open summit area of Mt. Isolation enjoying the great 360 degree views it has to offer. The three hikers that we met on the Mt. Isolation Trail were there along with one other couple. We relaxed in the sun, enjoyed the light breeze, had refreshment, took pictures, laughed and joked for probably an hour before deciding it was time to go. We packed our things and the next objective was the Rocky Branch and some water – a few of us had or would soon run out.
We made our way back down to the Davis Path, then the Mt. Isolation Trail – through the blowdown mess in the spruce and finally back to the first main stream crossing. Brian was quicker on the draw than me and he pulled out his filter. We reloaded our water supplies for the hike out and were quickly underway once again.
Continuing on we went back through the mud bogs on the Mt. Isolation Trail, multiple stream crossings still with dry feet, and once again at Rocky Branch Shelter #2. On the way through this section we came upon Pucknuts (Bill) and Brownie (Jeff) out for a week of backpacking in the wilderness. After visiting for a while we were all off on our separate ways. At the shelter we again stopped for a quick break, relief, and refreshment. From here, 13.3 miles done and only 6.1 miles to go, we set off through the overgrown portion of the Rocky Branch Trail and down to the huge boulders. Then, the trail opened, we reached the Stairs Col Trail and were again hiking on an old logging road. Based on the time we used hiking from the shelter it looked like we had only forty minutes to the trailhead (and that’s exactly how it worked out).
We managed to step into the trailhead lot and never needed headlights. It seemed like we took a very casual approach to the day but we covered quite a distance and finished earlier than I expected.
What a great hike to Isolation! This is probably not a good hike to try in high water conditions but for us and our day it was perfect. One additional warning – anybody planning to hike with Brian should be prepared to be entertained. He is a real fun to hike with. And, when Brian stopped to take a breath Hikerfast was there to fill the dead air. What a day!
I've posted some of the pictures from the day.
Straight to the slideshow.
BIGEarl's Pictures (index).
Last edited: