A granite massif looms before throughout, only showing its potential once engulfed in the drainage.
Nestled deep within this oft overlooked wonderland lies a luscious couloir. The moonscaped boulders and small pristine lakes that litter the way there are worth the trek alone.
You may feel like you've just had some kind of mushroom and your mind is definitely moving low. Just remember what the dormouse said...
Follow the lengthy and arduous Thunder Lake Trail until it forks with the Lion Lake Trail and take this path out to Lion Lake #1. Ascend upwards and around Thunder Falls until you reach the bench.
From the southern end of the lake break off on the North Saint Vrain Creek, which may well be snow-covered but nonetheless descript enough to follow upwards into the basin.
Now that you've broken treeline you'll have a great look at the massive bulk of pyramidal granite. Continue up the drainage to the north of peak past the moonrock-esque boulder field and onto a landing where you'll finally be able to see your destination. The couloir itself won't come into view until you're nearly all the way to the far snowfield, but you'll know it once you see it!
the climb
Once you've sufficiently soaked up the tremendous view that Isolation has to offer -- and scoped the sweet/scary options descending off the West side of the summit and off Eagles Beak -- it'll be time to descend.
Convert over at the top of the snowline (it's not that steep up here but be aware of your gear slipping away as it's a long way down).
And descend.
The way out follows the same path as the Southern Route, only in reverse.
