| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hancock Notch, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Sawyer River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 28, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Spotted a car at Sawyer River Trailhead on the Kanc, which had room for 3 vehicles. At Hancock Notch Trail parking at the hairpin, USFS law enforcement was leaving a warning for someone who'd parked in the far end turnaround. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The numerous water crossings were all relatively easily managed this day. The bigger/wider crossings of Sawyer River and Swift River were frozen over enough to safely cross (with a bit of trepidation!). Ice may not be thick enough for heavier persons, and the forecasted warmup will not be helpful. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Think we ducked under, crawled over, or skirted around 6-8 blowdowns. Most were 8" +/- in diameter. There are not a lot of blazes, but there are enough and seemed to be just where needed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Cayenne Pfeffer did great! |
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 | Bugs: |
Saw some flying "snow bugs" |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a nice knife on Sawyer River Trail |
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 | Comments: |
Yippee, finally made it through Hancock Notch in winter. So happy to turn RIGHT at Cedar Brook-Hancock Notch Trail junction instead of the usual, heavily trafficked left!
We put snowshoes on here and kept them on through the notch and all the way to the Kanc via Sawyer River Trail. No one had been through here recently, of course, so we were breaking trail all the way to SRT. With rising temps snow got quite sticky but never to the ridiculous stage. Cayenne (canine) did have some snowballing, but he didn't seem to mind.
There were many water crossings, wet spots, and undermined drainages, all reasonably negotiated with care. The trek through the notch featured the spectacular cliffs of Mt. Huntington. Minor care was required to stay on trail here and there, but the route was pretty obvious.
Turning right onto Sawyer River Trail, we shared the trail for about 2 miles with snowmobilers, all of whom slowed down and waved as Cayenne was scooped out of the way. :)
The last water crossing of the day, over Swift River, was the most precarious appearing, but at this point we were very near the end of the hike so were less concerned with breaking through the ice. Fortunately it held! |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea & friends |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-12-29 |
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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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