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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Hancock, South Hancock, NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Most are open. All easy to cross.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few leaners in the usual spots between the peaks. Not a big deal.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Awesome, firm, fast conditions. I wore spikes to the steeps then wore crampons around the loop. Obviously, there’s no need for crampons between the peaks, but I kept them on because I’m too lazy to change traction and they worked fine. There is definitely evidence of monorail forming between the peaks, but it’s very stable and quite wide right now. Steeps would be doable but quite tricky in spikes. I was certainly happy to have full crampons, especially going down sour where there’s a lot of butt sledding.

As temps warm this week, I think snowshoes will be merited between the peaks. I don’t think they’ll be needed again down low, certainly not on the Hancock Notch Trail, as the snow is really shallow down there now. There’s still a lot up high, though, and I see posthole-a-Rama starting up without snowshoes.

Definitely in good shape, great views from both lookouts, obese Gray Jays out in force.  
Name
Name: IanB 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2026-03-29 
Link
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.

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