| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Crystal Ravine, Northwest Hancock, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Wilderness Trail, bushwhack |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 2, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
|
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Saturday’s bushwhack brought me to Mt. Hancock’s Crystal Ravine, where I ascended the NE ridge of Northwest Hancock. This ridge is best known for its prominent eastern-facing cliffs which overlook Crystal Ravine.
Starting from the Hancock Overlook, I hiked on trails for four hours and left the Wilderness Trail about 0.3 miles west of Crystal Brook, slabbing across a 2400 ft. contour and then descending into the basin. The woods at the base of the NE ridge were very open and the slope was gradual, but I soon encountered progressively thicker woods and had to make a few bypasses on the west side of the ridge. The first ledge I visited was at 3150 ft., where I was rewarded with a stunning view of the valley below and a first look at the cliffs further up the ridge.
I continued the ascent and made a few more forays to the cliffs in search of more ledges, but I was turned back by excessive steepness; finally at around 3800 ft. I came across an open ledge which looked directly over to a large slide in the ravine. After a long break at this spot, I proceeded to NW Hancock’s summit and then followed its ridge SE, dropping down to the Cedar Brook Slide for the descent. A short bushwhack brought me back to the Cedar Brook Trail, which had only a few blowdowns and muddy sections.
Another brilliant day in the Hancocks — photos from this trip have been posted to my Flickr page (link below). |
|
 | Name: |
timbercamp |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-02 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.flickr.com/photos/timbercamp/albums/72177720308272212 |
|
|
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. |
|
