HIKES & EVENTS

Mt. Isolation Backpack

Backpacking

DATE: Sep 05, 2015
END DATE: Sep 07, 2015

Hike/Event Location: Jackson NH

Trip Leader(s)


Gandalf
Thornton, NH United States,

JDNnh
Thornton, NH United States

Meeting Time: 9:30 AM

Max # People: 6

Hike Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Hike Difficulty Level:

Moderate to Strenuous

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Summary

Join us for 2-night backpack to one of the farthest four-thousand footers, Mt. Isolation [4003’], and then Giant Stairs, both with magnificent views! It’s a 16.4 mile, two day backpacking trek. We will be hiking 6.1 miles with 2,650 feet on our first day, 6.3 miles on our second day trek with 903 feet elevation gain and descending 4 miles on our last day.

What makes this backpack special is that we are spotting cars so that we can experience something new each day! We trek through remote forests and over several mountains. The views are magnificent from the Mt. Isolation summit! This trip includes Mt. Davis [one of the finest views in the White Mountains], inspiring views from Giant Stairs and Mt. Crawford with more magnificent views. We will be tenting near Mt. Isolation Saturday and on the summit of Giant Stairs on Sunday.

Please note that this might end up being a 1-night in/out backpack if Jon cannot get Monday off. We’ll let anyone know who signs up.

We will maintain a steady hiking pace, stay together, and have ample rest breaks and take time to enjoy the magnificent views. We will first meet at the Davis Path on Route 302 where we will finish to drop off cars and then carpool to the start on the northeast terminus of Rocky Branch Trail on Route 16. . We follow the Avalanche Brook and swing away at 1.3 eventually reach the height of land at 2.8 where we would ascended 1,950 feet and done most of our climbing for the day. At 3.8 miles, after crossing Rocky Branch that may be difficult in high water, we reach the junction of Isolation Trail. For the next 1.7 miles we cross the Rocky Branch 4 times, so we recommend you bring trekking poles and sandals. It can be a very muddy trail so we recommend bringing spare socks to change into at the end of each day gaiters would be helpful. Bring swim trunks as we may soak in one of the swimming holes during the trek! After the last crossing, we will continue .9 miles to find our campsites…we will stock up on water once we feel we are leaving water for good.

We'll get together for cooking and eating our meals. We can try getting a campfire together and if not, please bring a candle as a back-up. We can huddle around our campfire or candles, drink whiskey and share stories. Please bring a candle and your own flask of whiskey. 

Sunday we'll continue on our journey hooking up with the Isolation Trail and Davis Path to reach the magnificent views from the summit of Mt. Isolation [1 mile] with only a 153 foot ascent. We'll then continue on the Davis Path for approximately 5.5 miles with a 750 foot elevation gain to our next campsite at Giant Stairs on a trail that is lightly used, rough, wet, often overgrown and may require care to follow. After 1.1 miles from the summit of Mt. Isolation we’ll take the spur trail to enjoy the stunning vistas from Mt. Davis [3,600’ and the best view on this ridge]. After 4.1 miles we’ll reach the spur trail for Giant Stairs cliff and in another .2 miles we'll pitch our tents on the summit for an incredible sunset and sunrise! We’ll stock up on water on the Davis Path as we approach this spur trail.   

Monday we'll finish our journey by continuing on the Davis Path with a stop on spectacular Mt. Crawford [2 miles away] and then descend back to our cars for another 2 miles. Option to take We should be finishing by noon to give us a head start home before the Labor Day traffic gets heavy.

All participants are responsible for bringing a tent, cooking stove, food, sleeping bag, pad, clothing, etc. We recommend you contact another participant to share the load by splitting up the tent and share a stove/food for cooking. Jon and I will be carrying a water filter and first aid kit for the group.

This is going to be an awesome trip to end summer!

Friday Night Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday night at $20 per night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have limited space in the fridge to store your beverages/food so it's best to bring a small cooler. Space is limited so email ASAP to reserve a bunk! 

Event Coordinators: Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

We will be meeting at the Mt. Crawford trailhead where we will finish, which is the Davis Path and then carpool to Rocky Branch Trail. To make this memorable and rewarding backpack, drive about 6 miles west from Bartlett on US 302. Watch for a stone house known as Notchland Inn on the left above a railroad crossing for old US 302, now bypassed. You are at Notchland, which was once a station named Bemis, for the builder of the stone house. A short distance beyond this, you'll see a Davis Path sign on the right. Turn right into the large parking area. We will be driving a blue FJ Cruiser.

Trip Leader(s)

Gandalf

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States
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JDNnh

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States
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members signed up for this event

HikerBiker

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Londonderry, NH


United States
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Richardg

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


NYC/Hudson Valley, NY


United States
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Scorpione

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Boston / Cape Ann, MA


United States
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DaveSchumaker

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Manchester, NH


United States
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Waiting list

beyoungyu

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Harrisburg, PA


United States
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