| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 3, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Hancock Notch lot is plowed, but even less capacity than normal due to snowbanks (full before 9). Greeley Ponds lot is not plowed, but the bump out for the ski trailhead west of it is (looked full by 9). I recollect a bumpout at the East Pond trailhead. Discovery lot is plowed. Big Rock campground is not plowed.
Lincoln Woods is fully plowed, but with a frozen surface over the pavement. 2019 annual passes are available at the White Mountain Visitor Center in Lincoln (at the end of the I-91 North offramp), which opens at 8:30 AM. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One can get across all of them on snow bridges (one just down stream), but one of them was getting destroyed by barebooters (a few more postholes and the snow bridge will collapse). |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blowdowns on each of the three trails, some of which have herdpaths around them. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Snowshoes very much needed today. Even with rain in the forecast, the snowpack is deep enough that it will be negligent not to bring snowshoes if doing this peaks in the foreseeable future. There are isolated areas in which one is literally walking on treetops; barebooting significantly increases the chances of falling into a deep spruce trap/tree well.
Hancock Notch Trail had been decently packed out, but still soft enough to require snowshoes (or skis) in order not sink divots and postholes. Unfortunately some parasitic postholers were doing damage. Some ski tracks heading toward the notch.
Cedar Brook Trail was also decently packed out, but still soft to need snowshoes (or skis). Noted ski tracks continuing on it beyond the Hancock Loop junction. Three to four feet of snowpack.
Hancock Loop was decreasingly packed the further one ascended. On the north branch, some folks with non-mountain snowshoes (e.g. tubular frames and virtually no crampons) had switched to crampons and were making a mess, while exerting quite an effort spinning their tires in the unpacked snow.
Deep snow on the summit of North Hancock; footbed is on the treetops just beyond the summit sign, so the view spur is not needed.
The trail between the peaks was not consolidated and the snow is deep. Snowpack likely ranges from 5 to 7 feet deep. Blazes, where visible, are at knee height. Packed route deviates from the previous packed trail in places, so barebooting will result in some unpleasant full body postholes.
Descent off South starts off trail, as the final push to the summit junction has a massive drift. The descent is like a luge run of packed powder from buttsliding, voluntary or otherwise.
Somewhat mild temperatures with a brief appearance by the sun, but summits were in the clouds. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-02-03 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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