| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Hancock, North Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water levels low, rock hoppable. The few snow bridges left were supportive but just barely. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Nice CCW loop of the Hancocks to grid both out for 12/12. I barebooted up to the loop junction, then put on snowshoes to ascend up S Hancock first. Trail in good shape with mostly packed base and loose top, but I didn't posthole. A few inches of fresh snow, warm temps and sunlight hitting the trail meant snow balling on the snowshoes was pretty terrible. I had to whack off the snow every 20 paces or so, ascending South. Once on the ridge it seemed more consolidated (more shade anyways) and wasn't balling. I put on 10-pt crampons on N Hancock for the steep descent - absolutely the best choice, micros wouldn't have done much good with the loose snow and high balling likelihood. I was surprised there was more ice (blue ice) and slippery spots on the North side of the loop than the South. Once back at the loop junction I ripped off the crampons and barebooted my way out. Finished around 7:20pm just as twilight was fading ... but no headlamp necessary (woo!) Saw nobody the whole hike, but looks like one other hiker visited today and did most of the loop with bareboot/crampons only. |
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 | Name: |
Eric H |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-16 |
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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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