| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, Arrow Slide |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 24, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot was almost full at 7:30 AM. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hoppable. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns. Some waterbars on Hancock Loop Trail filled with debris. Massive, unmitigated erosion on the South Hancock leg of the loop (did not ascend the north side for comparison). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Arrow Slide would be a bad idea for dogs due to friction climbs and lots of loose material (e.g. sending rocks flying down). |
|
 | Bugs: |
Minimal |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Hancock Notch Trail and Cedar Brook Trail were mostly dry. Lots of nice reds from hobblebush and maples.
Hancock Loop Trail had some running water on the initial ascent, otherwise fairly dry. Lots of unmitigated erosion prior to the split.
We then descended on the north leg of the loop to the low point (e.g. dry water crossing), climbed over the berm, then ascended the drainage into the Arrow Slide. The Arrow Slide was mostly dry, with occasional slippery slabs. Lots of loose material, in part due to everything being so dry. We favored the right side of the slide and went almost to the top, ducking into the woods a few dozen vertical feet short of the top. The entrance into the woods is thick, but things opened quite quickly, and we found going diagonally uphill to be the easiest going, hitting the trail a tenth or so below the summit.
Good views from both viewpoints, on account of the view clearing that has taken place in the past half decade or so. The trail between the peaks is dry.
The descent off South Hancock was rough, as the trail is in advanced stages of erosion. Entire trees are coming down due to being undermined, and old rock steps are collapsing. It's also very easy to send loose material falling downhill to unsuspecting hikers who have their backs to you. Trail is in dire need of major work.
Hot day, but nice blue skies. Slight breeze on the slide and on top of South Hancock. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
|
 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-09-24 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
|
|
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. |
|
