Isolation Isn't Always a Bad Thing...

I'm talking about Mt. Isolation - the most remote 4,000 footer in the Whites!  It just sounds rather intimidating, doesn't it?  It didn't help that most of the reports I had read about this hike seemed to focus only on the fact that it is long and difficult, and the most common trail is often described as a miserable muddy mess.   Perhaps that is one reason Isolation ended up  as one of the last 10 peaks remaining on my NH-48 4,000 footer list.   Nah, who am I kidding?!   The truth is, I hadn't done it yet simply because I am a greedy peak bagger!   If I'm going to hike 12+ miles, I like to be able to check multiple peaks off my list.  But that list is dwindling.  With the exception of the Zealand and Bonds traverse (which I recently decided will be my grand finale), all I have left are the longer single peak hikes that cannot easily be combined with others.  So, Mt. Isolation was as good as any other for last Sunday's adventure.

 

My hiking partner for this trip was Mike, a massage therapist who has been coming to my office every month for the past few years to give chair massages to stressed and overworked employees.  Although I have been taking advantage of this wonderful benefit every month without fail for three years, I wouldn't say I really know him.  Our conversations usually go something like this:  (Mike) "What can I do for you today?"  (Me)  "Oh, just the usual...." (those knots in my traps and neck just won't go away!)  So...being an introvert, I was naturally a bit intimidated by the thought of trying to make real conversation with a near stranger for 8 hours, yet the practical opportunist in me also recognized a potential benefit - a massage therapist could come in really handy on a strenuous hike!!  Haha.  

 

After doing a bit of research, we finally settled on the Glen Boulder Trail out and back. At 12 miles round trip, Glen Boulder is the shortest route to the summit, but it is generally described as far more strenuous than all the other options because it involves over 5,300 feet of elevation gain for a mountain that barely meets the 4,000 foot requirement.  But everything I had read and heard promised that the extra effort would be worth it!  Plus, I never turn down an opportunity to work the glutes, and accumulate more floors on my Fitbit :)!  As it turns out, they were right - Glen Boulder offers up amazing views AND a kick ass workout! 

 

First up, we have the obligatory trailhead sign:

 

 

 

For the first couple miles, the trail was a lot like many trails in the Whites - a moderate but unrelenting climb up a wooded path with a nearby babbling brook. So pretty!

 



 

About 2 miles in, we emerged from the woods and got our first view.  I believe this is looking back to the general direction from which we came:

  

But the best part was still ahead!  Off in the distance we could see Glen Boulder - a large erratic boulder which presumably gives the trail its name.

For the next couple miles, the trail would ascend this gorgeous alpine ridge.  There was a lot of fun scrambling up boulders and ledges...

 

 

 

 

 

And then we finally came face to face with Glen Boulder itself.   I decided to throw in a few shoulder presses to make it a full body workout day ;).

 

 

With the more technical part of the climb behind us, we were able to enjoy the fabulous scenery all around us as we continued our steady climb up the ridge.

 

The thing I loved most about this trail was that it was a continual feast for the eyes with beauty on both a grand and macro scale.  There were 360 degree vistas of distant summits as far as you could see...

 

 

 

And the delicate beauty of the alpine growth at our feet...

 

Pictures really don't do it justice!

The scenery, and the day itself, was the perfect collision of two seasons.   The summer's last wildflowers and berries were giving way to golden grasses and bronzing foliage.   And the warmth of the sun alternated between feeling downright hot during the steep climbs and delightfully warm when gusty winds rushed in and threatened to knock me down.

 

Don't let the beautiful, cloudless blue sky fool you!  It was very windy up on that ridge! 

 

 

 

As we neared the top of the ridge, we came to the Davis Path junction where we would take a left and begin a steep and lengthy descent toward Mt. Isolation's summit.  While we stood there for a few minutes studying the sign, I couldn't help but notice that Mt. Washington was only 2.5 miles away in the opposite direction.  In two weeks, I will be climbing Sir George with a group of friends.  I immediately began to rehearse in my head how I might convince the others to take this (longer, less direct) route up Mt. Washington (instead of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail we had all agreed upon).  Then I reminded myself that I would have another opportunity to enjoy Glen Boulder later that day on the way out, so I was content to move on (but if any of my IC friends are reading this, Glen Boulder to Washington would make an awesome hike...just sayin'...) :).
  

I have to admit that Davis Path was a bit dull and plain compared to Glen Boulder.  As we descended, we left the alpine region behind and dipped back below treeline.  There were tiny windows here and there where we could catch a glimpse of the view beyond the trees, but for the most part, we just kept going deeper into the woods for about 3 miles.   There was nothing but trees, rocks and remote mountain wilderness trails.  I guess that's why this is called Mt. Isolation!

We arrived at Isolation's open summit right around noon.  It was the perfect location for lunch!   The views were fabulous all around.  Even Mt. Washington, which is often socked in, was clearly visible on this gorgeous, sunny day.

 

 

I even found my long-lost twin up on the summit (see her way off to the left?) :)

We spent about a half hour on the summit, leisurely eating our lunches and enjoying the views.   Then we packed up and headed back out the way we came.  I enjoyed Glen Boulder just as much on the way out as I had on the way in, even though it meant hiking up 1,500 feet when we were supposed to be descending!  Everything looked a little bit different in the afternoon light than it had in the morning light so it was almost like seeing it again for the first time. 

The descent was slow at times because some of the terrain was very rocky and rough. But we made good time.  Altogether (including picture and summit breaks), it took us 7 hours, 20 minutes to complete the hike.  Although my knees were glad to reach the bottom, this was one hike that I was sad to see come to an end.  It really was a perfect day on a perfect trail.  The experience had been exciting, serene, exhilarating and humbling all at the same time.  And, as always, hiking in the wilderness gives me a much needed break from the fast-pace of life in the "civilized world."   Isolation?  Yep, sometimes it's truly a wonderful thing!