Bombadil
Active member
5-2-13
The hancocks suck err... the hancocks are not so bueno right now as mhobbs and others have noted. The line of super crappy snow seems to be at the right elevation where you cover most of the mileage on these guys. It's mostly dry ground until the first crossing. Then a mix of mud, collapsing undermined snow, monorail, and full coverage. Cedar brook is pretty lousy and I found the section of the loop to the split to be particularly lousy. Lots of water running under the snow, unstable snow, etc... The north loop was super soft and full of collapsing monorail. At one point I think I took out a full 50 yards with every step taking out a bridge. The ridge was a bit better as long as you stayed on the monorail. There's a recently marked helo drop zone just before the south peak for trail maintenance. The south loop was much more consistent, full snow coverage with easy plunge stepping.
I did the whole hike without traction, I'm doubtful any would have helped much given the extreme variability. I ate it quite a few times with bridges going and throwing me off my balance (or slipping off a balance beam of a monorail). The crossings are high (some are mid-shin) and there's some deep pools of water shin deep or worse, not that wet boots would deter any early May hikers. I'm not much of a salesman I guess so I'll just say I'd wait another 1 1/2+ weeks on these two. By then the north loop should be mostly clear and the monorail should be pretty well destroyed at low elevation making for a much faster and enjoyable hike.
Pat
pcushing21 at yahoo dot com
The hancocks suck err... the hancocks are not so bueno right now as mhobbs and others have noted. The line of super crappy snow seems to be at the right elevation where you cover most of the mileage on these guys. It's mostly dry ground until the first crossing. Then a mix of mud, collapsing undermined snow, monorail, and full coverage. Cedar brook is pretty lousy and I found the section of the loop to the split to be particularly lousy. Lots of water running under the snow, unstable snow, etc... The north loop was super soft and full of collapsing monorail. At one point I think I took out a full 50 yards with every step taking out a bridge. The ridge was a bit better as long as you stayed on the monorail. There's a recently marked helo drop zone just before the south peak for trail maintenance. The south loop was much more consistent, full snow coverage with easy plunge stepping.
I did the whole hike without traction, I'm doubtful any would have helped much given the extreme variability. I ate it quite a few times with bridges going and throwing me off my balance (or slipping off a balance beam of a monorail). The crossings are high (some are mid-shin) and there's some deep pools of water shin deep or worse, not that wet boots would deter any early May hikers. I'm not much of a salesman I guess so I'll just say I'd wait another 1 1/2+ weeks on these two. By then the north loop should be mostly clear and the monorail should be pretty well destroyed at low elevation making for a much faster and enjoyable hike.
Pat
pcushing21 at yahoo dot com
