On another clear, sunny day with low humidity, I returned to remote Mount Isolation after a long absence. I wanted to check some things for the AMC White Mountain Guide, and take in the unique summit view for a while. I used the standard Rocky Branch Trail/Isolation Trail/Davis Path route for the approach.
The Forest Service knows what's going on out there!
Easy grades to start on Rocky Branch Trail.
After passing junctions with the Avalanche Brook Ski Trail, the Rocky Branch Trail climbs steadily; it gains 1600 ft. in the first 1.8 miles. Parts of the trail are quite rocky.
Other sections, especially near the top of the climb, have good footing. Beautiful woods here.
The trail then follows an old logging road almost on contour for half a mile.
Into the Wilderness.
The trail skirts a wetland as it crests on a shoulder of Rocky Branch Ridge at 3100 ft.
The first 0.6 mile of the gradual descent to the Rocky Branch is a tedious exercise in rock-hopping through a chronically wet shrubby area.Only today it was nearly bone dry due to this summer's lack of rainfall. The rocks were still there, though.
The first crossing of the Rocky Branch was easy with the low water level. This is an attractive ledgy spot with a small cascade.
Looking downstream.
Rock steps lead up to the junction with Isolation Trail.
Important junction. Halfway mark on the hike to Mount Isolation.
Before heading on, I checked out the new Forest Service tentsite area created to replace Rocky Branch Shelter #2, which had deteriorated and was burned a few years ago.. The 100-yard side path leading uphill to the tentsites is just a few yards south of the trail junction.
There's room for several tents up on a plateau.
Heading up the valley on the Isolation Trail, enjoying a short stretch of smooth walking on the bed of the Rocky Branch Railroad (1908-1914).
Trailside view looking up the Rocky Branch.
The next crossing was also easy.
Some more railroad grade on the east side of the river.
Now off the railroad grade, the trail follows step stones through a wet sedgy area.
Following a rocky old logging road through a pleasant forest of birch and conifer. Much of this valley was burned over from 1912 to 1914.
Even in a dry season, some areas are still mucky.
The fifth and final crossing of the Rocky Branch.
Another gradual but very rocky section for the next 3/4 mile. Unusually dry but still lousy footing.
Nice spruce grove as the trail approaches the crest of Montalban Ridge. In here I ran into Heidi Garceau Proulx, on her way down after summiting Isolation. With this hike she "gridded out" August, having hiked every NH 4000-footer in this month of the year. Congratulations!,
A peek at Rocky Branch Ridge from a blowdown patch.
A confusing spot where the path ahead leads to a tentsite. The Isolation Trail turns right here, passing by the sign pointing to the tentsite.
Junction on the ridge with Davis Path.
Asters blooming in a sunny spot.
Glimpse of the Southern Presidentials from a fir wave.
An unusually dry muddy patch.
Another fir wave.
Most of the walk along the ridge towards Mt. Isolation is pleasant and easy.
Final climb to the summit side path.
Looks like a new summit sign.
The ledgy scramble up to the summit is the steepest pitch of the hike.
The unique "backside" view of Mount Washington and the Southern Presidentials is a just reward for the 7.3 mile hike.
Washington is flanked by Mount Monroe on the left and Boott Spur on the right.
Mount Monroe and Mount Franklin seen across the vast Dry River valley.
The true summit is on a slightly higher ledge a short distance south of the main view ledges.
Benchmark.
A standing view towards the western Whites from the true summit.
Monroe has its own glacial cirque carved into its flank.
As does Franklin.
Pierce and Eisenhower.
The Carters.
I had the summit to myself for my hour-plus stay.
On the descent, I decided to check out the "Iso Express" route that has been getting quite a bit of use, originally in winter but now in summer also. The upper part is tricky to find as it weaves through a blowdown area. When I was involved in maintaining Davis Path from Glen Boulder Trail to Mt. Davis in the 1990s for the AMC Four Thousand Footer Committee, we would sometimes bushwhack down to the Isolation Trail after the day's trail work was done. I suppose these were our own early versions of the Iso Express.The stretch getting across the blowdown-infested ridgecrest was always the hardest part.
Although much of this path is dry, it passes through several fragile muddy and mossy areas and really is not suitable for summer use.
One of the pleasant sections.
I had a nice chat with a male Spruce Grouse.
Looking up at Isolation's eastern knob from a ledge along the "Iso Express."
Lower down, the path passes through more wet, mossy areas, and then leads through a very open forest of birch and fir. I lost the path here and just bushwhacked down to the river and up to the Isolation Trail.
My own crossing of the Rocky Branch.
Homeward bound on Isolation Trail.
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