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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Hancock, South Hancock, NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 24, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Lot was half full around 11. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The largest Hancock Notch Trail crossing was open, but could be done on a log. The largest Cedar Brook Trail crossing was half open, but hoppable. Lower Hancock Loop Trail crossing was bridged on ascent, but it appears barebooters broke through it. The upper crossings are frozen. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Took out a blowdown on the ridge. A stepover birch is frozen into the snowpack on Hancock Notch. I don't recall any on Cedar Brook. A few duck unders on Hancock Loop. Hancock Loop is getting very brushy in places. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Hancock Notch Trail was well packed out, but probably a bit awkward in bareboots due to bareboot damage. Okay going in snowshoes though.
Cedar Brook Trail was also well packed out.
Hancock Loop steeps had a few minor blue ice and frozen granular patches that could be tackled or avoided whilst wearing snowshoes. Buttsliders could make this worse though.
Between the peaks, there was significant drifting, just from last night alone. Fresh drifts of 2 feet. There was one other snowshoer out, but I suspect barebooters will be the last through, which may make this a mess with the warming temperatures.
I wore my snowshoes roundtrip and never thought about taking them off. Snowpack in the woods is 2 to 3 feet. 4,000 footers in winter with snow...snowshoes!
No sign of activity heading beyond the normal route on Hancock Notch or Cedar Brook. Arrow Slide looks very icy right now.

Better weather than forecasted, as the sun poked out for an hour or two.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-12-24 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
Bookmark and Share 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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