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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, May 9, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking at the Hancock parking on the Kancamagus Highway. Take care when crossing the road to the trailhead.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Water levels are high due to snow melt. Crossings made on rocks with many under water by up to 4" or so. Boots will get wet. The North Fork crossings are the most challenging.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The Cedar Brook trail is in poor condition with lots of standing or running water in portions of the trail. Trail improvements have been made to Hancock Notch and the Hancock Loop trails. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw none today. Dogs are bound to get wet and perhaps muddy at this time. 
Bugs
Bugs: No black flies or mosquitoes. Saw a few flies. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Definitely the transition season. All sorts of trail conditions. Bare dirt and rocks, hard packed monorail, deteriorating monorail, high brook levels, and snow pack of up to three feet in places across the Hancock ridgeline. Bare boots okay for ascent to Hancock Loop split. For ascent up to Hancock (north peak) the best choice is microspikes. From Hancock to South Hancock and descent back down to the Hancock Loop split there was almost a continuous snow cover. Snowshoes with crampons are best for flotation and traction. The descent down South Hancock had a mushy snow surface which provided very little for the traction to grab so it was slippery. It may be best to ascend South Hancock and then descend Hancock.
The snow pack improved the views from the ridge. The South Hancock outlook had some trees removed which allowed for more expansive views than in prior years.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-05-09 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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