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|
Mt. Crawford, Stairs Mountain, Mt. Davis, Mt. Isolation
Hart's Location, NH, Hadley's Purchase, NH, Sargent's Purchase, NH, Cutt's Grant, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Mt. Crawford spur trail
Route: Davis Path, Mt. Crawford spur trail, (Mt. Crawford), Mt. Crawford spur trail, Davis Path, Stairs Mountain spur trail, (Stairs Mountain), Stairs Mountain spur trail, Davis Path, Mt. Davis spur path, (Mt. Davis), Mt. Davis spur path, Davis Path, Mt. Isolation spur path, (Mt. Isolation), Mt. Isolation spur path, Davis Path, Isolation Trail, Dry River Trail
Wicked hot and humid - a great day for a long traverse! Starting at the Davis Path trailhead, we made our way up the Davis Path to Mt. Crawford in increasing warm and humid temperatures. Reaching the summit, we were treated to very hazy, but nonetheless excellent views.
Our next stop was Stairs Mountain. After passing through the nice, gentle portion of the Davis Path between the peaks, we were soon struggling to get up the steeps below Stairs Mountain in the brutal heat. Reaching the near-summit vista, we once again had nice, but hazy views - even Kearsarge North was seemingly distant.
After Stairs, the hike seemed to drag, as we worked our way to Mt. Davis. Finally reaching the spur path, we worked our way up the short, steep portion to the summit. Though hazy, the views were tremendous in all directions.
After lounging at the summit, the next stop was Mt. Isolation, where we were once again treated to good but hazy views. Beyond Isolation, we headed down the western branch of the Isolation Trail.
The Isolation Trail was fairly gentle up high, though a bit grown in and probably not fun in wet conditions. Nearing the stream, things became a bit more rough. Finally at the Dry River Trail, things weren't as smooth as other rail-trails - some rocky portions, some annoying reroutes, etc. Reaching the closed suspension bridge, the water was fortunately just low enough that I was able to cross on the rocks below. Beyond the bridge and one last reroute, things became smooth and easy back to 302.
Though very warm, it was a nice day for a hike. Though I didn't find it as tiring as a Davis Path traverse from Glen Boulder, I still found it more challenging than a Bonds traverse.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Mt. Crawford |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Moderate |
Stairs Mountain |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Moderate |
Mt. Davis |
|
Length: |
Very Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Very Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Heavy |
Mt. Isolation |
|
Length: |
Very Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Very Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Moderate |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Sunday, August 16, 2009 |
| Hike Commenced: |
7:08 AM |
| Parking Elevation: |
995' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Crawford |
| Ascent Commenced: |
7:08 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
8:38 AM |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:20 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
995' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,119' |
| Distance: |
2.5 miles |
| Vertical Gain: |
2,144' |
| Destination: |
Stairs Mountain |
| Ascent Commenced: |
8:55 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
10:10 AM |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:15 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,119' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,463' |
| Distance: |
2.7 miles |
| Vertical Gain: |
1,083' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Davis |
| Ascent Commenced: |
10:34 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
12:55 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
02:21 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,463' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,815' |
| Distance: |
4.5 miles |
| Vertical Gain: |
1,205' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Isolation |
| Ascent Commenced: |
1:34 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
2:18 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:44 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,815' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,004' |
| Distance: |
1.4 miles |
| Vertical Gain: |
554' |
|
|
| Hike Ended: |
7:16 PM |
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
12:08 |
| Hike Distance: |
19.6 miles |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
5,686' |
|
The Davis Path trailhead
Looking at Mt. Willey from Mt. Crawford
The Davis Path between Mt. Crawford and Stairs Mountain
Looking at Mt. Crawford from the Stairs Mountain viewpoint
The Davis Path between Stairs Mountain and Mt. Davis
Turtlehead along the Davis Path
Looking over Mt. Isolation at Mt. Washington from the southern knob of Mt. Davis
The Davis Path between Mt. Davis and Mt. Isolation
Looking at Mt. Washington from Mt. Isolation
The Isolation Trail west of the Davis Path
Directions to trailhead: Take Route 302 West from Bartlett. The Davis Path parking lot and trailhead will be on the right. The Dry River Trail trailhead is a few minutes west on 302, with roadside parking.
Back to Mt. Crawford Profile
Back to Stairs Mountain Profile
Back to Mt. Davis Profile
Back to Mt. Isolation Profile
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