Turtleheads (Rocky Branch)

 

Birch Forest (Rocky Branch)

 

Just Before The Last Crossing (Return)

 

First Crossing on Rocky Branch (Return)

 

New England Asters

 

Looking Towards Crawford Path

 

Looking Northeast

 

Towards Boott Spur

 

One More

 

From Isolation

 

Mt. Isolation Summit

 

We Reach Historic Davis Path After 6.2 Miles

Mt. Isolation August 25, 2005

My back going out gives us a few more days and a chance for one final hike. Owls Head and Isolation are considered two of the most challenging of the 48. We are not ready for Owls Head but we felt Isolation is doable. The water levels are low (their are 10 difficult river crossings), the days are cooling off and we feel ready. We were out the door at 6 am for this challenging hike and the long 85 minute drive to the trail head. Hike observations: this is the easiest 3600 ft. one will ever climb as the ascent is gradual all the way. The trails (we took Rocky Branch to Isolation to Davis) with the exception of Davis are overgrown, wet, muddy, poorly maintained and not blazed at all. The river crossings with Kate and Jordan showing us the way were not difficult. The views were grand but unfortunately Washington was in the clouds. The hardest part of the hike for me was the final descent from the height of the land on Rocky Branch. The trail is very rocky and overgrown - at the end of a long day it was very tedious. Indeed our trip up to Isolation was faster than down - total time around 11.5 hours. The good news is the family handled this hiking hurdle with aplomb!

Distance 14.6miles; Climb 3600 ft; Elevation 4003 ft.

Back to the Car We Look Toward Mt. Whiteface

Looking Northwest toward Franconia

 

The Tripyramids (Foreground) and Osceola

 

Looking East at Mt. Chocura

 

Looking Northeast From Passaconaway Outlook

Viewless Mt. Passaconaway Summit

Mt. Passaconaway Aug 18, 2005

On Hancock my back went out but walking improves my back and the summer days were dwindling so we opted for a moderate grade hike up Mt. Passaconaway. Dicey's Mill Trail up Passaconaway gets our vote as one of the best trails in the Whites. There are very few roots or rocks on the trail to pick you way over. The trail is moderate almost all ther way to the summit. The descent was very fast; in some ways it reminded me of coming off a mountain on snowshoes. Not many views but a wonderful hike. If my back wasn't hurting I would say a wonderful drive too. The countryside around the Sandwich Range is very pretty.

Distance: 9.2 miles; Climb: 2950 ft; Elevation: 4043 ft.

Viewless North Hancock Summit

 

North Hancock Outllook

 

North Hanock Outlook

 

The North Hancock Slide

 

Viewless South Hancock Summit

 

New England Asters (Hancocks)

North and South Hancock Aug. 16, 2005

The trail up the Hancocks consists of an easy woodland walk followed by a very steep circuit hike. We elected to hike counter clockwise first up South Hancock and then to North Hancock. As often happens, with us, we are very slow on steep descents. Hiking down the trail down North Hancock was no exception. We passed by only three hikers all day. This is a hike only for peak-baggers. The views are unremarkable and the steep sections are difficult but not exceptionally so.

Distance: 9.8 miles, Climb 2650 ft; Elevation North 4420ft; South 4319ft.

Looking East from Moriah