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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Hancock, South Hancock, NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, January 15, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of spaces today 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Easy 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: North Loop was packed and super grippy up & down in spikes. South Loop was corrupted by yesterday's butt slider and was somewhat powdery with minimal grip. I put crampons on for the trip down because traction was sketchy. Any ice was easily negotiated in spikes and was all well below the Loop junction.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: 2 bigger dogs coming down a more difficult pitch on South peak but they made it OK. The growly one was actually a big baby! 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Somebody dropped a mask which is sad because NOBODY is going to pick that thing up! 
 
Comments
Comments: I wish all days could be like this with perfect trail conditions and minimal snow depth! But heavy snow is coming so the party will be over for at least a week. I almost forgot what it's like to break a trail in snowshoes! Anyway, I'm getting old and I didn't run at all today but was still able to do the entire hike in just under 4 hours. I couldn't decide which direction to do the loop so I decided to go up & down BOTH peaks and skip the easy traverse between them. North Loop is a bit longer with a steep but steady ascent and the snow was like velcro today for a super-quick up/down in micro spikes. South Loop is definitely steeper in the middle section (for about .2 mile) but much shorter. It took me about the same time to go up and down each one mainly because South was much less grippy although switching to crampons helped greatly on the descent. Snow conditions aside, I liked North Loop a LOT more because it's just more pleasant with better views on the trail and it's uniformly steep. There were a lot of people moving well today, not just me. This marks peaks #20 & 21 in my quest for the single-season solo Winter 48. I wish I started earlier this morning, I could have driven down the road and also done Mt Tecumseh today!  
Name
Name: Bob H 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hynoskyb@aol.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-01-15 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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