| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hancock and South Hancock , NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch and Cedar Brook and Hancock Loop Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plowed and one truck there at 8 am. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
1st has snow covered rocks easily hopped. 2nd partially frozen over mostly easily stepped over. 3rd mostly frozen over and easily traversed. "Waterfall" is completely frozen over. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The very large triple blowdown on the ridge has a bypass going around and easier to get by. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No pups |
|
 | Bugs: |
All happily sleeping. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing |
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|
 | Comments: |
I started in spikes but I should have used snowshoes from the get go. There was a layer of fresh unconsolidated snow over a mostly solid base of snow and I did a lot of beach sand walking. I hit a few open ground short sections but mostly snow. At Cedar Brook Trail junction I switched to snowshoes and was much happier and kept them on to the summit and back to my car. It was easier on the water crossings bridging the early season ice and the televators helped going up steep South Hancock. And going across the ridge there were deep drifts and bareboots would really muck it up.i was able to descend down North Hancock pretty easy and my MSR LA are a little dull on the rails. After the latest snow, I would say the SS are essential! The return to the parking lot was easy and fast on the nicely packed trail. |
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 | Name: |
TransZenHiker |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-12 |
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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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