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Routes to Mount Isolation

Mount Isolation is as its name implies one of the most remote peaks in the White Mountains, located in the midst of the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness. It is one of the most remote and least-visited 4000-footers, one of a select few not visible from a public highway. The summit itself is bare with views in all directions, although most or all of the approach is wooded.

The Trailwrights also list a 4293-foot peak about a mile N of Mount Isolation as "North Isolation". This peak is maybe 50 yards W of the Davis Path and offers limited views through trees. It is actually a shorter hike than Mount Isolation if done by trail from NH Route 16.

As befits Mount Isolation's central location in the southern Presidentials, there are potential trailheads in almost every direction. The routes below are chosen as potential day hikes, ranging from a long day to a very long day for an average hiker.

• From Davis Path trailhead on US Route 302 (USGS Bartlett quad, DeLorme NHA&G 44-F5) via Davis Path: about 9.5 miles each way, about 4300 feet elevation gain on the ascent and 1300 feet on return
• From Dry River Trail trailhead on US Route 302 (DeLorme NHA&G 44-E5) via Dry River Trail, Isolation Trail, and Davis Path from the N: about 8.5 miles each way, about 3300 feet elevation gain on the ascent and 500 feet on return
• From Glen Ellis Falls trailhead on NH Route 16 (DeLorme NHA&G 44-B7, WMNF fee site) via Glen Boulder Trail and Davis Path from the N: about 6 miles each way, about 3600 feet elevation gain on the ascent and 1600 feet on return
• From eastern Rocky Branch Trail trailhead on NH Route 16 (USGS Jackson quad, DeLorme NHA&G 44-D7, WMNF fee site) via Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, and Davis Path from the N: about 7 miles each way, about 3300 feet elevation gain on the ascent and 500 feet on return
• From southern Rocky Branch Trail trailhead on Jericho Road (DeLorme NHA&G 44-F7, WMNF fee site) via Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, and Davis Path from the N: about 9.5 miles each way, about 3000 feet elevation gain on the ascent and 100 feet on return
• From southern Rocky Branch Trail trailhead on Jericho Road (DeLorme NHA&G 44-F7, WMNF fee site) via Rocky Branch Trail, Stairs Col Trail, and Davis Path from the S: about 9.5 miles each way, about 3800 feet elevation gain on the ascent and 900 feet on return

These routes can of course also be done as overnight hikes; backpackers might also consider the entire Davis Path to Mount Washington, and hut-hoppers can go from Mizpah Spring Hut to Lakes of the Clouds Hut via Dry River Cutoff to Mount Isolation to Boott Spur rather than the traditional Crawford Path.

Various bushwhack routes can be used either to reduce the number of brook crossings or the length of the hike, particularly in winter when following the trail may not be easy. One popular variation ["D" on the map below] leaves the Rocky Branch Trail from NH Route 16 perhaps .3 miles above the crossing of Rocky Branch and circles R nearly on contour to the Isolation Trail above its southernmost crossing of Rocky Branch. This saves only about .4 miles of distance and 100 feet of elevation gain but most importantly eliminates a double crossing of Rocky Branch.

Another variation ["E" on the map below] can be used either in conjunction with "D" or by itself to shorten the distance by over a mile and eliminate another double crossing of Rocky Branch not shown on the USGS map. This route follows a major tributary of Rocky Branch to intercept the Davis Path at a col just N of Mount Isolation.

The shortest route ["F" on the map below] can be used to shorten the distance by over 1.5 miles and eliminate four crossings of Rocky Branch. This follows a minor valley to the col between Mount Isolation and Mount Davis, and is somewhat thicker with some steeper sections than "E".

Maps

Bushwhack routes to Mount Isolation

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