| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cedar Brook Slide, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, bushwhack, abandoned Cedar Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 4, 2016 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the Hancock Overlook on the Kanc. A fee area. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Many, but all easily crossed. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
HNT in great shape. CBT was in good shape and even better on the way out as I met and chatted with the maintainers as I popped out of the woods after my bushwhack. Thank you! The abandoned section of the CBT has some blowdowns, mud and standing water, but can still be traveled by foot just fine. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. Lots of water on this route. |
|
 | Bugs: |
They weren't too bad. A few black flies on the slide and a few mosquitos in the woods. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Inspired by BeccaM's report from 5/28 (http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26384), I set off to find and climb Cedar Brook Slide, which fell from Mt. Hancock's western slopes in 1927.
From the height of land on CBT, I descended north about two miles to the brook she mentioned, which crosses the trail at just about exactly 2600'. You'll know you're at the right brook as it is very sandy and gravelly, which I assume is from debris washed down from the slide. This brook originates near the base of the slide, as a trickle emerging from under a rock.
I initially started whacking right up the brook, but as noted, the rocks are very slimy and slick. I alternated sides of the brook, but it was slow going with many obstacles. Woods are ok but not great. After maybe a half mile, the slide opens up suddenly near the top of the brook.
The slide is very large and wide, with a huge V shaped trough near the bottom, full of loose boulders and sand. I climbed up to the right of this where footing was better, but still somewhat loose. Views from the slide are tremendous, all the way over to Franconia Ridge. I got about halfway up before reaching my turnaround time. Descending, I dropped into the trough where footing is loose and sketchy. I dislodged a few boulders along the way, stepping gingerly and deliberately the whole way down. If using this slide to ascend to or descend from Northwest Hancock, I would recommend staying out of the trough and up on the sides where possible, as it's somewhat safer.
Back at the bottom, I found better woods a bit higher up on the banks of the brook, which made for easier travel. I crossed the brook twice on the way down as needed.
No more than a minute after I popped out on the trail, the maintainers came by as they were doing spring cleanup today. Thank you!
On the way out, I followed the abandoned section of the CBT which the recent relocation bypasses. Four water crossings on this route, all of them very low. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2016-06-04 |
|
 | 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. |
|
