| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 22, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot was not plowed and rutted, and froze up at night. Nevertheless, the lot was filled this morning, with overflow on the driveway into the lot and on the shoulder of the Kanc. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings are easy: either man made bridges, snow bridges, rock hop, or walk through water. Water levels are low. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some leaners, duck unders, walk arounds. All trails on this route need brushing, in some sections LOTS of brushing. The closer to the Hancocks, the more brushing is needed. The section between North and South peak needs it the most. Trails need brushing for width and height and full allowance for maximum winter snow depth. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw 2 dogs, I wonder how they made it up and down the steep trails on the Hancocks. Dog Poop right ON the tracked path of trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Cliff Bar wrapper on Hancock, I packed it out for trash. Dog Poop right ON the tracked path of trail. |
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 | Comments: |
Solo ascent of both Hancocks on a bluebird day, getting a late start. Temps rose from below freezing early in morning to above freezing.
Trees on the summit ridge of the Hancocks still had ice and snow on them, more so on north facing sides, but it was melting- dripping and forming icicles. Various snow conditions during the day due to rising temperatures and clear sky: recent powder was still on the ridge by late afternoon where not exposed to sun, mashed potatoes in some areas, wet slippery snow, firm snow in the shade at higher elevations. The steep trails up north and south peaks were very difficult and nerve-wracking after the snow warmed with mashed potatoes or slippery snow where exposed to sun. I wore Microspikes from the trailhead to the trail fork at the base of the Hancocks, then switched to Full 12 point crampons to climb to the summit of Hancock (north peak), then switched back to microspikes to traverse the ridge trail to south peak, the came down from south peak. I carried showshoes but I felt crampons were a safer and more suitable tool for the difficult and very slow climb to the summit. Even with crampons I slipped some; I held onto trees beside the trail where I could. The ridge trail was mostly in packed condition, but were it was still powder on top it was messy chopped up. Snow begins right at the trailhead. Did not spot any ice. |
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 | Name: |
SOTA |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-04-22 |
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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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