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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Hancock (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, January 11, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: At 10 AM, the parking lot was very icy. When we returned in the evening, it was all gone. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Nothing particularly difficult; at the moment. Many were partially bridged, they were even less bridged on the way out. Several crossings were shallow enough to step in without getting my boots wet (microspikes gave me an extra inch of height). 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: One birch lying across the Hancock Notch Trail. Easy step over. If this were a normal winter the thing would have been buried. Some of the trail signs are getting difficult to read, maybe time for new ones. Others were great! Thanks! 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw probably the same husky mentioned in Joanna's report. Lovely trail in part for dogs (sips and dips in warmer weather); the steep parts may be an issue for some, especially with the ice when it returns. Also, watch the drop from the lookout on North Hancock. 
Bugs
Bugs: I saw two spiders crawling across the snow. Prema saw a flying insect. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Snow was disappearing even faster than mentioned in previous report. Trail looked very different in spots on the way out. Smooth as a sidewalk on the way in, looked like a lot of footprints on the way out. Lot of slushy spots on the last half mile upon return. Majority wore spikes, which were fine on the flat areas.

No big hikes since fall, no walks at home, either - just sorting hundreds of parcels at the post office. So I guess you can all see where this is going! 10 AM start, plus out of shape on my part lead to no peaks. By the time we got to the Hancock Loop, the rain clouds were blowing across North Hancock. I was concerned about wind exposure, so we did the unorthodox route of ascending South. It took me forever and it was turning into a luge. Too tired to continue, suggested Prema go to the summit and come down. She came down a lot sooner than I expected - on her butt! There was a lot of slip sliding until we made it back to the flatter parts. Water bridges had disintegrated somewhat in just those few hours and the snow level in general seemed to have gone down.

If you go, be prepared with traction. Unless all that mess on the south side washes away, it's going to be one hell of a descent! We wore spikes, carried snowshoes.  
Name
Name: Beckie and Prema 
E-Mail
E-Mail: beckiejani@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-01-11 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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