| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, Arrow Slide |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 10, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Hancock parking lot was full at 8:30 when we arrived. I had brought a bike, so I drove to East Pond lot (Greeley Ponds lot was also full), left my car there, and then biked back to the trailhead (all uphill). When we finished, the Kanc was a parking lot in the eastbound direction, with hundreds of people at the Hancock trailhead/lookout. Before we reached Lincoln Woods, the Kanc became a parking lot in the westbound direction too, all the way through Lincoln. Never seen so many people in that area. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easy |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in excellent condition. There are a few blowdowns on the Hancock Loop Trail between the peaks. It looks like trail crews have been very busy in recent years clearing blowdowns in that stretch. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few friendly dogs on the trails. Arrow Slide would not be good for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Nope |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing |
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 | Comments: |
Great day on the Hancocks. Not too many people on the trails, despite the parking lot being full and hoardes of people on the Kanc. I've wanted to do the Arrow Slide for a long time, finally got a chance to do it. When we got to the loop intersection, my wife continued up the trail to North Hancock, while I went over to the slide. It's very easy to get to from the trail. The bottom part of the slide consists of boulder climbing through the long narrow washout. Then it opens up and the interesting part begins. It's very steep of course, but manageable. I went back and forth between left and right sides a few times, trying to find the safest path up. The slabs were mostly dry, but there are areas with water and other areas with slippery green slime that must be avoided. My intent was to take the right fork at the top, but when I got to that area, I was in the middle, and it just seemed easier to to go left, so I took the left fork instead. At the top of the rocky area, I could see a faint herd path into the woods, which I followed. The bushwhack wasn't too bad at first. Then I lost the herd path, and the bushwhack was unbelievably thick from that point forward. Really tough, but thankfully short. I heard voices and then came out right on the north outlook, much to the surprise of those who had ascended the trail and were resting there. |
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 | Name: |
BC |
|
 | E-Mail: |
jbcunningham04@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-11 |
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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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