| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Trail, Hancock Notch Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 9, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for several cars at Sawyer River Trailhead; Hancock Notch Trail lot pretty full - people parking in lot on Kanc next to Hancock Notch Trail parking lot; note: I saw large "LAW ENFORCEMENT" SUV several time on Kanc - they mean business!!! |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Sawyer River crossings were rock-hoppable but not always stable |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
lots of blowdown removal on Hancock Notch Trail. Only a couple blowdowns remain - probably recent based on high winds |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
why not? |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Wanted to revisit Hancock Notch Trail as it has been a few years. I really like remote trails and loops for jogging as much as possible. Started mid-morning. Noted tractor ruts on Sawyer River Trail and heard large equipment probably on logging road/ski trail off Sawyer River Trail south of the big jct with Hancock Notch Tr. Jogged all the way to Sawyer River Rd gate - pretty amazing washouts from probably Hurricane Irene. From there, headed to Hancock Notch Trail - first couple miles good jogging but then too rocky/icy to do anything but pick my footing all the way to the junction with the Cedar Brook Trail. Lots of mud/erosion/big icy rocks for the 3 miles to the jct - I just used trail runners. Obvious recent work on removing blowdowns on Hancock Notch Trail (THANK YOU) but this trail still has many difficult sections with washouts and large rocks. Crossing Sawyer River multiple times with giant washouts was definitely fun!!!! Finally, about a mile from Hancock Cedar Brook Jct, I met a couple guys and a dog - the first people I'd seen all day. From there, jogged back to bike at Hancock Notch Trail parking area. The 6 mile ride back on bike to my car was not super-fun. 800' elev gain (around 1100' descent) was rough with cars passing at high speeds and the very right of road sometimes icy/salty from the morning snowfall and extremely cold/windy. I was so happy to get back to my car..... super cold ride back (had to let my hands warm-up to drive) - I really wasn't thinking it'd be that bad a bike ride but it was... still, a fun day out. Around 12.5 miles jogging/hiking plus 6+ mile bike ride. |
|
 | Name: |
Becca Munroe |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-11-09 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
