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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Hancock, North Hancock, Mt. Carrigain, NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, bushwhack, Desolation Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, Wilderness Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 3, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Hancock Notch Trailhead had plenty of spaces available at 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM, but based on where cars were parked, it looked like the lot had been over capacity on both Saturday and Sunday. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Water levels were low. Crossed the Pemi at old railroad bridge and again just above Black Brook; didn't get my knees wet. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Dozens of blowdowns (many 8-12 inches in diameter) on the Carrigain Notch Trail. A few blowdowns near the bottom of the Desolation Trail. Maybe a dozen (?) blowdowns on the Cedar Brook Trail between the Wilderness Trail and the Hancock Loop Trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, Carrigain Branch (bushwhack), Desolation Trail (up), Desolation Trail (down), Carrigain Notch Trail, Wilderness Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Notch Trail

Beautiful day, with perfect hiking weather. Started around 6:30. Did South Hancock, then North Hancock. From North Hancock, I backtracked toward South Hancock. At the col near North Hancock, I began bushwhacking east, shooting for the top of the stream that flows down the east side of the mountain. The vegetation was thick and made it hard to see the ground. My feet fell through a few rotting tree roots. The blowdowns were thick in places and tricky to get over. I was listening for the stream, as I went. I did this bushwhack with my daughter a few years ago. Then, we didn't have to go far to pick up the stream. This time, I had to descend quite a bit farther, and the stream was still dry when I found it. Water started flowing not far below were I connected with the stream bed. The brush and blowdowns are pretty thick at first, but it opens up after a while. There's one especially nice view to the north at the top of a waterfall. I descended the stream to 2300 ft., then left the stream and headed east looking for the trail. I didn't have to go far. After about 100 yards, I came out on the Carrigain Notch Trail just below the junction with the Desolation Trail. The bushwhack was about 3.3 miles and took me about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

I went up and down Carrigain, and then started making my way back via the Carrigain Notch and Wilderness Trails. I made a slight detour near the junction of the Cedar Brook and Wilderness Trail to scout out places to cross the Pemi. I crossed at the site of the old railroad bridge, and then followed the old railroad bed to the junction with the Bondcliff Trail. I then backtracked a bit and crossed back over just above Black Brook. From there, I hiked east a bit on the Wilderness Trail to the Cedar Brook Trail, and made my way back to the car.  
Name
Name: Bill Tidd 
E-Mail
E-Mail: tidd.bill@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-06-04 
Link
Link: https:// 
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