| 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: |
Thursday, October 13, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the designated lot off NH 112 just before the hairpin turn. This lot is paved, plowed in winter. Is a busy lot in summer and on weekends. Limited roadside parking available for smaller cars. There is a kiosk and pavilion, no privy. At 7am there were few cars. Lot overflowing with leaf lookers upon return at 11:30am. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Great trails for dogs. Lots of water options for them. Would not recommend leashing on the steep ascent/decent parts due to risk of human injury. |
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 | Bugs: |
One moth flitting around near North summit. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Hancock Notch > Cedar Brook > Hancock Loop > back the way I came.
Hancock Notch: not blazed in this segment. Trail wide, gentle grades. Lots and lots of roots towards jct with Cedar Brook. Fast going.
Cedar Brook: not blazed (is the reroute on this one? If so, it is blazed in yellow), footbed simple to follow. Lots of roots followed by lots of rocks. Rough footing. Gentle to moderate grades. Some mud, nothing of significance. Some standing water on trail from today’s rain, shallow. Junction is well signed.
Hancock Loop: junction nicely signed as well as signs up at the summits. Bright, fresh yellow blazes while ascending to South summit. This 0.5 miles is incredibly steep (but not as bad as Carter Notch!!!). Much easier to ascend. There are rock stairs in several parts (first time here without snow- never knew they were there) and a lot of loose, pebbly soil. Some eroded spots that one has to heave full body weight up through/over weirdly angled rocks. No treacherous stuff (cliffs, drop offs, etc), but it takes time to get up to the southern summit. In between the peaks is a lovely footbed that I flew over. Yellow blazes continue through here. The wind made me a bit nervous as there are a lot of old blow downs next to the trail. Rain began in earnest as I crested the South summit. The north summit apparently has a viewpoint, though no views today (well, great views of cloud innards). Slow going down the loose rock and soil of North summit. I was so focused on not sliding down the mountain that I failed to note if there were any blazes descending from North.
3 persons encountered on trail today. I must say I vastly prefer these trails in winter. Much, much easier!! :) |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-13 |
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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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