The Isolation Loop is a 23-mile New England loop route that you can knock out in an easy two days. It traverses moderate terrain but has sporadic water sources.
Region: New England (White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire)
Distance: 23 Miles (2 days)
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
- Roughly 5,400 feet of elevation gain
- Water sources sporadic
- Navigation difficult along the Dry River Trail
Logistical Difficulty: Moderate
- Sparse water sources along Davis Path
- Loop hike so only one car needed (there is a 3-mile road walk)
- No permits required
Season: Fall/Summer/Late Spring
Elevation (average): ~ 2,000 – 3,000 feet
Total Elevation Gain:~5,400 feet
Hiking the Isolation Loop
I hiked this loop counterclockwise. I started my hike at the Davis Path trailhead, which happens to be the start/end of the Cohos Trail. The Davis Path is one of the oldest and longest routes to the summit of Mount Washington. What it lacks in sweeping views it makes up for in its historical significance. The majority of this hike lies within a wilderness boundary. Be sure to follow not only LNT principles, but regulations governing camping in a wilderness area. It should be noted that there are very sparse water sources along the Davis Path. It would behoove the hiker to camel up at the very first water source, the Saco River, and keep in mind that there will be little-to-no water along the entirety of the Davis Path unless hiked during a wetter year.
This trail begins south of Crawford Notch and ascends the first of four mountains at a consistent, classic New England grade. After three miles of climbing, the first spur path to the summit of Mount Crawford appears on the left. It’s worth taking this spur path because you will be awarded in some fantastic views of the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness as well as the mountains you will be climbing along the Davis Path. Past the spur to Mount Crawford, the trail follows along the edge of Mount Resolution before making a short, steep climb to Stairs Mountain. Another spur path leads to a rocky outcropping where more views to the south toward Mount Resolution can be seen. There are some small spots where tenting is permitted as well on the spur path to Stairs Mountain.
After making the short, steep climb to the height of land before the spur to the summit of Stairs Mountain, the trail continues along the wooded ridge heading toward, but not over, Mount Davis. Shortly after passing the spur for Mount Davis, the trail ascends the final few hundred feet to the spur path that leads to the summit of Mount Isolation. Isolation is one of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot mountains frequented by those working on hiking all of the 48 4000-footers, and is worth the short climb to the summit for spectacular views of the Presidential Range from the heart of the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness. Past the spur for Isolation’s summit, locating a place to camp, if you choose to finish the first day off, will require either stealth camping, while following wilderness regulations, or setting up at one of the designated campsites set up by the Forest Service. These sites are not noted on maps because they are moved frequently to deter overuse.
Isolation Trail (West Branch) marks the beginning of the less-frequently used trails that you will venture down on this loop. Being located in a designated wilderness area means you will be contending with blowdowns and minimal trail maintenance. After making a steady descent you will reach one of the first of many water sources. The trail will continue to become more difficult to follow, at times, due to erosion that occurred during Tropical Storm Irene. At the intersection with Dry River Trail, you may opt to head north toward the Dry River Shelter #3; however, making this trip from the Davis Path trailhead would make for a long first day. The final stretch of trail, leading to the Dry River Campground and Dry River trailhead, follows the Dry River and has a few washed-out sections that occurred during rene. Following the trail is pretty straightforward despite the few washed-out sections and the closer you get to the trailhead, the more groomed the trail becomes. Finishing off this loop will require a three-mile road walk back to your car at the Davis Path trailhead unless you opted to do a car spot.
How to get to the Isolation Loop Trailhead(s)
Closest City: Lincoln, New Hampshire (39 miles)
The best way to approach the hike is to complete the loop counterclockwise. There are two termini and a three-mile road walk. Depending on which direction you hike this trail, and if you decide to do a car spot to avoid the road walk, you will be parking at one of two trailheads, Davis Path or Dry River. The beauty of this loop is regardless of where you choose to park/start your hike, you will be parking on the same main road, Route 302, and both trailheads are directly off of the road and well marked.
If you’re flying into Manchester or Boston, there are shuttle services offered through Concord Coach Lines to Lincoln. The termini are located just south of the AMC Highland Center Lodge, which also offers shuttles to various termini and can pick you up from Lincoln if needed. Ali’s Rides (603) 348-3914 and Priority Transportation (603) 631-6242 were noted as reliable for rides.
When to Hike the Isolation Loop
The Isolation loop would best be hiked after Memorial Day weekend through early to mid-October. The best time of year to hike this loop would be August through September, to avoid the buggy season while still having the flexibility afforded by longer days and warmer nights. I wouldn’t recommend hiking this loop in winter unless you are prepared with winter weather gear and prepared to break trail for several miles. Additionally, hiking this loop in early spring would mean contending with rotting monorails and higher water, along with imposing unnecessary damage to the trails by having to navigate around seasonal wet stretches and mud.
Isolation Loop Terrain
The majority of this trail is within a wilderness boundary and is heavily forested. There are some stretches along the Dry River Trail that are eroded and other sections that can be muddier in wetter weather along both the Dry River Trail and Isolation Trail. This trail is also less marked due to its location within wilderness boundaries, meaning that there are fewer blazes marking the trail and blowdowns follow the “over/under” rule: if you can walk under it or over it, it will probably be there for a while.
Logistics: Camping, Water, Permits
Camping and Permits: No permits are required to camp or park at the trailheads. Camping at any of the shelters along the trail is on a first come, first serve basis.
Land Designations: Almost the entirety of this loop is in a wilderness corridor and wilderness camping rules apply.
Water: Water is plentiful with the exception of the stretch of trail running along the Davis Path from the Saco River to the Isolation Trail. This stretch of trail, from Davis Path to Isolation Trail, had very minimal, if any water sources. It is highly recommended that you camel up at the Saco River. All water should be filtered.
Know Before You Go
In designated Wilderness areas there is often less trail maintenance and fewer trail markers. For this reason, hikers inexperienced in hiking in such areas should use caution and have an overabundance of navigation tools.
Additionally, this trail may be more difficult to navigate in wetter conditions, especially the Isolation Trail, as there are several sections where the trail abuts a branch of the Dry River.
Isolation Loop Resources
White Mountain Guidebook and Maps
Wilderness Regulations
4000-Footers List
Mountain Forecast
Hike Safe Card
New England Trail Conditions
