| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot well plowed and maintained. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were easily crossed albeit the bridging rocks for placement were icy in the morning. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One clump of pine blowdowns across the top that presently one can go under. Will need more than a handsaw. Each are close to a foot in diameter or more. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None observed. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
With the evolving season, a mixed bag with respect to trail conditions. 8am start with 4 other vehicles in lot. All other hikers I met at the trailhead were also packing out snowshoes.
Started with spikes from trailhead. Frozen granular, packed powder, ice, exposed rocks, mud and flowing water over small rocks before the junction. 3 to 8 inches of snow off trail on lower elevation before junction with a few spots with minimal snow cover.
Hit clockwise route at loop junction. Narrow trail on start of steeper ascent with a few larger rocks and roots rearing their heads. Hillsounds were perfect here where you could drive your toe into the surface and propel over a few larger riser spots. Around 4100 feet in elevation things widened a bit on the trail (with less rocks if any) and with the prevailing sun on the slope, things were softening up and becoming inefficient with spikes alone. Perfect timing for snowshoes. Snow cascading down from trees in mass and this upper trail section was a bit more unsettled and sticky.
From North Hancock summit over to Middle then South Hancock had anywhere up to 12 to 14 inches of snow off trail - it varied. On trail, some prior post holing from bare-booting as the trail felt slightly soft and powdery but was starting to set up well with other snowshoe activity across the top. A one-time belly crawl under three uprooted pines of moderate size.
Descent on South Hancock was slow and more technical with the use of several convenient trees for handholds for stabilizing and planking out. More trees along South Hancock descent as compared to North ascent. Noticeably cooler through the south cut with the lack of sun exposure. Trail is consolidating well and is much firmer than North ascent. Probably would have been a better ascent point on this day - it felt considerably shorter as well as compared to North Hancock ascent.
Lots of snow caked on trees. Got drenched a few times when you use a tree for a handhold.
Snowshoes back down past loop junction and spikes all the way out. Happy with traction timing of this hike though the last mile or so out in the afternoon would have been fine just bare booting. Trail will be more efficient once in consolidates more. |
|
 | Name: |
Bryant J. |
|
 | E-Mail: |
BPJ386@GMAIL.COM |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-21 |
|
 | 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. |
|
