| 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: |
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
2 cars in the lot when I arrived at 8:30am. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings were uneventful |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of blowdowns. Cedar Brook is essentially cleared. Lots others were cut, but during the winter snowshoe season. Estimate at least: 4 on Hancock Loop, 2 on N. Hancock trail, 10-12 on ridge connection, 2 on S. Hancock trail. All can be stepped over or under, but will eventually need clearing. All I had was hand pruners and did quick snips on those obvious branches hanging in the trails. The ridge trail between the peaks is in need of significant pruning. I picked up most of the sticks on the trails and cleared out several streams draining across the trails (very little water bars on all trails). |
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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: |
Peaks 25 and 26 for me. I have this trail at 9.7 miles. Book time is around 6:15 and I completed in 5:40 not including a 15 stop on the N. peak. Beautiful, gorgeous hike. Very modest and moderate until the Loop Jct and be prepared for an incredibly steep hike, no matter what peak you choose. 900-1,000' in about 0.5 miles. One of the most strenuous short stretches in the Whites I have hiked yet.
Trail was drying out from a rain two nights before and was even drying out more in my return. Lots of the churned mud holes were simply plowed through by hikers instead of using the rocks or sticks or roots that were in the middle of them. Frankly, over 90% of the mud was easily avoidable by a little hopping and not leaving the trail. Lots of the trail was completely dry and I found no signs of wet rocks or roots. I think it is a coin toss on what way you do the peaks. I found North as more stable with only a small stretch of loose stuff closer to the top. The South trail coming down is loose most of the way with some areas of massive wash outs, but despite that, I found the footing stable. Still a few short stretches of monorail along the ridge line. Stable, but still over 2' in places. Easily navigated, for now. Only ran into four other parties. Caught a glimpse of a tent way off in the woods on my way out, along the first stream, so somebody illegally camping. |
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 | Name: |
Kelly |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-06-06 |
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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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