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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Hancock, North Hancock, NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, December 8, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Only one vehicle at the hairpin lot when I arrive just after 9:00AM, five total when I returned. Zero ice. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Water crossings are high but manageable. I was able to keep dry socks while using submerged rocks. Trekking poles are helpful.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Well maintained trails, no obstructions. Water bars were doing their job. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: None seen today. The ice could be problematic for dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Hancock Notch Trail and most of Cedar Brook Trail was mostly wet trail with some sections of ice that can be avoided, lots of running water though. The ice begins to dominate shortly before the loop junction. I bare booted to this point then Hillsounds went on. I almost always go clockwise on this loop, but hearing the section up South had much more flow ice then on North I chose to go counter clockwise. Those ice reports are accurate and I felt I made the right choice. At minimum sharp spikes are needed here, I carried full crampons but sharp Hillsounds were sufficient.

With that said there is still ice to deal with coming off North. Where it's free of ice it is those loose scree sections that will still slow you down. You'll have to decide between going spikes on - spikes off over and over, or beat them up on all that rock. The ridge was mostly sidewalk conditions.

Another quiet day. The only others out today was a pair of hikers and another solo heading up later in the day, we shared some good conversation.

575/576... it's going to be a Moosey Saturday.  
Name
Name: Kyle L 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kjlanctot g mail 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-12-08 
Link
Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8224667718 
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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