| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Hancock, Hancock, Carrigain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Wilderness Trail, Desolation Trail, Signal Ridge Trail, Sawyer River Road, Sawyer River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 24, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ample parking at the Hancock Overlook, both early in the morning and around 5:00 PM. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Numerous crossings on this route, including a few major crossings of the Sawyer River and the Carrigain Branch (off the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River). Water levels were low to moderate, and while most of the crossings were stepovers or rock hops of variable difficulty, I definitely made my way into the water a few times. Some of the rocks were slippery or submerged, especially on the Cedar Brook Trail and Hancock Notch Trail. The water crossings within civilization (on the typically traveled route to the Hancocks) were easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Overall, much better than expected! Many thanks to those who have put substantial work into the eastern section of the Hancock Notch Trail, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Irene in 2011. It is still very rugged in places, with extensive erosion, blowdowns, and leftover sand from mudslides, but replete with yellow blazes where you need them, and generally straightforward to follow. There was one major blowdown on the Cedar Brook Trail a bit over halfway from the Hancock Loop Trail junction to the Wilderness Trail, and another that could use attention around 3/4 of the way to the Wilderness Trail. The Wilderness Trail itself was in excellent shape, as were the Desolation Trail and Signal Ridge Trail. Sawyer River Rd. has one large tree completely blocking the road perhaps 3 miles from Route 302. Hancock Notch Trail east of the Cedar Brook Trail junction has innumerable blowdowns, but this is in character with the trail, and *most* of these are easy stepovers or duck-unders. I don't recall seeing any blazes within the bounds of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, but you won't need them- navigation was not a problem. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No individual trail would exclude capable and well-trained dogs, but the Hancock climb (no matter which peak you choose) and the Desolation Trail involve precipitously steep, rocky ascent. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes were annoying when stopped, even with repellent- probably because most of this route is so close to the water (or occasionally in it). |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was a great clockwise loop (including the Hancocks, Mt. Carrigain, and Hancock Notch) I had been contemplating in the past, but a desire to check out the eastern section of the Hancock Notch Trail before an upcoming trail race cemented it. Views were outstanding from the Carrigain observation deck on this mostly sunny (and relatively haze-free) day, but there were additional sights from the Hancock outlook spur, and numerous points along the Pemigewasset and Sawyer River, along with the opportunity to take in an abundance of untouched forest. Portions of the Cedar Brook Trail (especially near the height-of-land) and Hancock Notch Trail had poor footing, with short stretches of semi-avoidable standing water and mud pits, and seemingly all of the leftover rocks that the White Mountains had no alternate use for. However, the northern section of the Cedar Brook Trail, almost the entirety of the Wilderness Trail, and even long sections of the Hancock Notch Trail were very pleasant, dry and smooth logging roads. The least enjoyable portion of trail for the day was the North Link of the Hancock Loop Trail, and this won the award easily. It is excessively steep, eroded, and with an abundance of talus and loose gravel in areas where you need traction the most. I went counterclockwise over the Hancocks and descended this delightful section, but going up probably isn't much better- I envision lots of back-sliding and four-letter words. I saw a number of friendly hikers while descending Carrigain by Signal Ridge, and a few more on the Hancocks near the beginning of this journey, but also had about 20 miles of complete solitude. Overall, this was 34.2 miles and 7,700' elevation gain, in a surprisingly quick 11:36. Full details on Unnecessary Climb! |
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 | Name: |
Jason |
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 | E-Mail: |
kurlando7@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-07-25 |
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 | Link: |
 https://unnecessaryclimb.wordpress.com/wilderness-and-desolation-loop |
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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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