Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Northwest Hancock, North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, bushwhack, Hancock Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 1, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
fee area |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
not bad for this time of year |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One significant bd on Hancock Loop |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I found a dry window to hike this from 7:00-1:30.
Hancock notch/c. brook to Cedar Brook/Hancock loop was a mix of mud, water, dry trail, and very minor ice. Turning onto Cedar brook north at the loop junction things started as more of the same, with gradual increase in snow/ice. I walked to the drainage just below the NW peak and began to bushwhack up towards the gut just below the peak. The woods are not too bad, but there is some thick going and blowdown; this section is also quite steep. This part of the bushwhack had next to no snow/ice.
After a fair amount of effort, I hit the ridge just south of the recognized high point. Following the ridge towards Hancock was mainly very nice walking with herd paths. There is significant snow on this north facing slope of hancock, however it is well consolidated. I put on light traction for this climb, which stayed on through the decent of s. hancock. I hit Hancock loop very close to the summit, before any rain started: still a good view at this point before the clouds took over.
The loop trail is blue ice and monorail with some bare ground. Going down s. Hancock was slow due to the steep blue ice.
I was glad I did this hike, despite rain in the forecast. I really enjoyed the bushwhack along the ridge between Hancock and NW. This is a wild peak which I had looked at for a long time. Good to get up to it today. |
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 | Name: |
zporterColdRiverCampCook |
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 | E-Mail: |
zap88@tds.net |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2016-05-01 |
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 | Link: |
https:// |
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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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