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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: Sunday, October 20, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: A few spots left around 8:30, however the lot was overflowing and chaotic with tourist traffic around lunch time. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All rock hoppable at the moment, though on wet rocks in a few places. Water actually flowing in the crossing at the foot of the northern loop (often dry). 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: I was able to take out a dozen or so blowdowns, but many remain. Multiple large birch deadfall blowdowns on Hancock Notch Trail. Cedar Brook Trail is clear. Hancock Loop Trail has a few on the approach and on either branch, however between the peaks was hit pretty hard during the windstorm. Another large uproot in the blowdown patch from a year or two ago. Very unpleasant jungle gym near Middle Hancock, with over a dozen mid to large size blowdowns blocking the trail. Meanwhile, unmitigated erosion continues to destroy this trail, as existing steps and drainage are now giving way. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Hancock Notch Trail was fairly dry with mud and running water in the usual places. Coating of damp leaves didn't pose much of a problem due to the flat grades.

Cedar Brook Trail was mucky on the relo and had water running down the battered stretch above the crossing.

Hancock Notch Trail to the junction had some mud and areas of running water.

North side of the loop had areas of running water (major unmitigated erosion) and wet muck. Hit snow around 4,000 feet, but nothing I couldn't easily bareboot.

Fairly consistent snow cover between the peaks (though never more than an inch), as well as some ice chunks that had dropped from the trees. Muck in the usual places, as there isn't much of a ground frost yet. Three jungle gym blowdown patches will slow progress.

Descent off South was the most wintery, as snow and black ice continued almost all the way down to the loop junction. Depth is minimal and the ice was just a glaze. I was able to bareboot with care. Saw one person with spikes on. I don't think I would have even worn rock spikes.

Foliage is mostly down, but there were a few isolated patches of late fall colors. Trails were initially quiet this morning, but typical modern day 4K crowds emerged.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-10-20 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
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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