Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock (attempt), NH |
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| Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plowed |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridged Over. Need to rock hop for about 5 feet in a spot or two. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Giant tree down about a quarter mile from parking area. The col between North and Middle is a mess of blowdowns. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw two dogs with another hiker while trying to get up South Hancock. They turned around after a short chat |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Hancock Notch and Cedar Brook Trails had been broken out with skis possibly yesterday which was nice walking in the dark (started 6AM). Hancock Loop and climb up North Link had a snowshoer up in fairly recently but before the last few dustings and were areas of drifts so going was a bit slow. Got to North Hancock around 10 (with more than half of the time re-establishing the climb). Made an attempt at the ridge and was able to break trail to the col between North and Middle Peaks. There are a few big blowdowns there and could not find the trail. After climbing out of 3 spruce traps and spending 45 minutes there was met by another hiker who was motivated to keep searching (saw him in parking lot later and he said he gave up in same place as well). Climbed back up North and down.
Got to junction of the loop at 12 and turn around time was 1 so thought I'd give South Hancock a whirl. Had to totally break trail up the South Link and was exhausted by 1 (actually went to 1:10). Haven't been on the mountain in years and never up that side so not sure if I was 100 feet from the peak or still a ways away. Was thigh to waste high digging every step. Made it back to car slightly after 3. Great day for all of it! |
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| Name: |
EAKenRea |
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| E-Mail: |
benewfang@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-01-10 |
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| Link: |
https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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