Rocky Branch Trail
On the way up Mount Isolation · New Hampshire
Rocky Branch Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 2,150 ft from the Rocky Branch Trail junction to Rocky Branch Trailhead (Route 16).
Map length
9.3 mi
Climb from the low end
2,154 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
5 h 44 min / 5 h 40 min
High point
3,112 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,262 ft/mi
Stream crossings
11 (9 fords)
Low point
1,099 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Rocky Branch Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Rocky Branch Trail junction (the lower end) to Rocky Branch Trailhead (Route 16).
- 0.0Rocky Branch Trail junction
- 0.0Bridge over Otis Brook
- 0.0Bridge over Rocky Branch Saco River
- 1.1Fords a stream
- 1.4Fords Lower Stairs Brook
- 2.0Junction with Stairs Col Trail
- 2.0Shelter #1
- 2.6Fords Upper Branch Brook
- 3.0Fords Rocky Branch Saco River
- 3.3Fords Rocky Branch Saco River
- 3.5Fords Rocky Branch Saco River
- 3.6Fords Rocky Branch Saco River
- 4.1Fords a stream
- 5.9Junction with Isolation Trail
- 5.9Fords Rocky Branch Saco River
- 6.7Engine Hill
- 8.6Junction with Avalanche Brook Ski Trail
- 9.3Rocky Branch Trailhead (Route 16)
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Shelter #1
1.98 mi (total 1.98) · ↑354 ↓20 ft · 1 h 10 min / 1 h
To Isolation Trail junction
3.88 mi (total 5.86) · ↑1,431 ↓45 ft · 2 h 40 min / 1 h 58 min
To Engine Hill
0.80 mi (total 6.66) · ↑290 ↓1 ft · 33 min / 24 min
To Avalanche Brook Ski Trail junction
1.95 mi (total 8.61) · ↑77 ↓1,453 ft · 1 h 1 min / 1 h 42 min
To Rocky Branch Trailhead (Route 16)
0.69 mi (total 9.30) · ↑0 ↓493 ft · 21 min / 35 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Branch Trail junction | Shelter #1 | 1.98 | 1.98 | 354 / 20 ft | 1 h 10 min / 1 h |
| Shelter #1 | Isolation Trail junction | 3.88 | 5.86 | 1,431 / 45 ft | 2 h 40 min / 1 h 58 min |
| Isolation Trail junction | Engine Hill | 0.80 | 6.66 | 290 / 1 ft | 33 min / 24 min |
| Engine Hill | Avalanche Brook Ski Trail junction | 1.95 | 8.61 | 77 / 1,453 ft | 1 h 1 min / 1 h 42 min |
| Avalanche Brook Ski Trail junction | Rocky Branch Trailhead (Route 16) | 0.69 | 9.30 | 0 / 493 ft | 21 min / 35 min |
↑ walking from Rocky Branch Trail junction; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Rocky Branch Trailhead (Route 16)
Trailhead
Weekends (all seasons): Had space in all 10 reports, as late as 7:15 am.
Fall weekdays: Had space in both reports.
Latest report, Sat, Sep 26: Nearly empty at 7:15 am.
Summit conditions
Today's conditions report2 incidents recorded on this trail: incident database
Recent trip reports
1 report on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 1. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Sep 26MudWetDry
Water crossings: Rock hoppable today… maybe not tomorrow?
Full report on NETC - Tue, Sep 1MudDry
Water crossings: Very low water right now so easy rock hopping
Full report on NETC - Mon, Aug 24MudWetDry
Water crossings: Pretty easy rock hops even for us vertically challenged folks. Some minor gymnastics may have been involved since I used the usual Iso Express crossing as opposed to the one I usually use further downstream.
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
28°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 28°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
56 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 56 mph and up to a 72% chance of rain. A shell blocks both.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.