BIGEarl
Well-known member
January 27, 2007: North and South Hancock
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
9.8 Miles, 2,650 Feet
Hiked with Jennifer.
Overnight, the local area received approximately four inches of new snow at lower elevations. Eventually, we would find substantially more new snow at the higher elevations. We left Nashua expecting snow showers all day with a strong westerly wind. The then current NOAA report listed west winds at twenty mph with gusts to 34 mph in Lincoln. We were prepared for a difficult day. Gaiagirl was interested in joining the hike but indicated she was a bit under the weather and might not make it. She must have decided to stay inside and take care of herself.
When we arrived at the trailhead lot there was one other couple preparing to head off on the same hike. They managed to get on the trail a few minutes ahead of us and were probably hit with the trail breaking duty. Soon, we were loaded up and headed out on the Hancock Notch Trail. Just before we started another couple of hikers pulled in to do the same hike. Eventually, one final group would meet up with us a number of times during the hike. I believe they were called The Hancock Mountain Gang and their leader was named Lily. There’s a picture of them posted with the others from this hike. You should be able to identify the leader without too much trouble. (hint: all-wheel drive)
We headed off from the trailhead parking at the hairpin on the Kancamagus Highway following the Hancock Notch Trail under mostly sunny conditions and little wind. It seems the weather forecast was a little off, there’s a surprise! The fresh snow with good footing and calm, sunny conditions made for very pleasant hiking. We cruised to the Cedar Brook Trail. Along the way we stopped a couple times to adjust or remove layers. On one stop the other pair of hikers that had pulled in just before we started went past. We just followed the broken trail as it bypassed a couple stream crossing points on the normal bushwhacks but generally stayed on the marked trail. Before we knew it we arrived at the Hancock Loop Trail. We knew the work was about to start. The first part of the Hancock Loop Trail is a moderate climb that leads to the trail split. A short distance below the split we decided to add our crampons. We came into a few icy spots and knew we would need them from the split. At the split we had a decision to make, climb the south peak or climb the north peak. I have previously gone both ways and prefer to climb the south peak and return from the north peak.
We stopped at the split for a few pictures and encountered The Hancock Mountain Gang. They seemed friendly (but you can never be sure). We discussed the approach options, our choice to climb the south peak, and continued on. A couple times while we were working our way to the summit we stopped for a brief break and could see some of the gang below – following us. OK, maybe they weren’t following us but they were always there. Climbing the south peak was hard work. The trail is very steep and doesn’t let up all the way to the summit. With the fresh snow, that was getting significantly deeper as we climbed, the footing was unpredictable. But, we had crampons that handled the situation just fine. I believe that bunch behind us were probably as tough as they come, bare booting their way to the summit.
We reach the summit and stopped for a needed break, a snack, some drink, an additional layer, and a few pictures from the overlook. By now the others should have caught up but we were alone. Perhaps they turned back.
Jennifer and I headed off for the north peak. The trail was broken by one of the two hiker pairs ahead of us. The other pair headed for the north peak at the loop split. They continued to work without snowshoes and we did as well. There were some areas with drifting but nothing significant. A short distance before reaching the final climb up the north peak we stopped for more refreshments and the group following us up the south peak caught up with us and passed. We continued on and were able to pass them on the climb. The crampons were working well.
We all hit the summit of the north peak at the same time. The camera went back and forth for pictures and we made a quick visit to the overlook for additional shots there. Then, a quick trip down to the loop split, and then out. The hikers that were ahead of us spent much of their descent glissading the loop trail. A couple of the gang members did the same.
Near the base of the north peak we stopped for a needed break. This was the most difficult hike Jennifer has done since finishing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and understandably she was nearly out of gas. After some “happy food” and drink she was ready for the hike out. The heavy traffic really beat up the ice bridges at the stream crossings. I experienced some cracking as I crossed a couple times but my feet stayed dry. When we reached the Hancock Notch Trail I stopped and removed the crampons. Jennifer stayed with hers. All of the traffic from the day left the trail well tracked out but somewhat slippery too. The final 1.8 miles out went by fast. I think we were both daydreaming a little when we came upon the short climb to the Kancamagus Highway. A pleasant surprise for sure. We were both beat and ready for some seat time and the ride home.
But first, we made a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts in Lincoln for Jennifer’s post-hike coffee and donut.
BIGEarl's pictures
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
9.8 Miles, 2,650 Feet
Hiked with Jennifer.
Overnight, the local area received approximately four inches of new snow at lower elevations. Eventually, we would find substantially more new snow at the higher elevations. We left Nashua expecting snow showers all day with a strong westerly wind. The then current NOAA report listed west winds at twenty mph with gusts to 34 mph in Lincoln. We were prepared for a difficult day. Gaiagirl was interested in joining the hike but indicated she was a bit under the weather and might not make it. She must have decided to stay inside and take care of herself.
When we arrived at the trailhead lot there was one other couple preparing to head off on the same hike. They managed to get on the trail a few minutes ahead of us and were probably hit with the trail breaking duty. Soon, we were loaded up and headed out on the Hancock Notch Trail. Just before we started another couple of hikers pulled in to do the same hike. Eventually, one final group would meet up with us a number of times during the hike. I believe they were called The Hancock Mountain Gang and their leader was named Lily. There’s a picture of them posted with the others from this hike. You should be able to identify the leader without too much trouble. (hint: all-wheel drive)
We headed off from the trailhead parking at the hairpin on the Kancamagus Highway following the Hancock Notch Trail under mostly sunny conditions and little wind. It seems the weather forecast was a little off, there’s a surprise! The fresh snow with good footing and calm, sunny conditions made for very pleasant hiking. We cruised to the Cedar Brook Trail. Along the way we stopped a couple times to adjust or remove layers. On one stop the other pair of hikers that had pulled in just before we started went past. We just followed the broken trail as it bypassed a couple stream crossing points on the normal bushwhacks but generally stayed on the marked trail. Before we knew it we arrived at the Hancock Loop Trail. We knew the work was about to start. The first part of the Hancock Loop Trail is a moderate climb that leads to the trail split. A short distance below the split we decided to add our crampons. We came into a few icy spots and knew we would need them from the split. At the split we had a decision to make, climb the south peak or climb the north peak. I have previously gone both ways and prefer to climb the south peak and return from the north peak.
We stopped at the split for a few pictures and encountered The Hancock Mountain Gang. They seemed friendly (but you can never be sure). We discussed the approach options, our choice to climb the south peak, and continued on. A couple times while we were working our way to the summit we stopped for a brief break and could see some of the gang below – following us. OK, maybe they weren’t following us but they were always there. Climbing the south peak was hard work. The trail is very steep and doesn’t let up all the way to the summit. With the fresh snow, that was getting significantly deeper as we climbed, the footing was unpredictable. But, we had crampons that handled the situation just fine. I believe that bunch behind us were probably as tough as they come, bare booting their way to the summit.
We reach the summit and stopped for a needed break, a snack, some drink, an additional layer, and a few pictures from the overlook. By now the others should have caught up but we were alone. Perhaps they turned back.
Jennifer and I headed off for the north peak. The trail was broken by one of the two hiker pairs ahead of us. The other pair headed for the north peak at the loop split. They continued to work without snowshoes and we did as well. There were some areas with drifting but nothing significant. A short distance before reaching the final climb up the north peak we stopped for more refreshments and the group following us up the south peak caught up with us and passed. We continued on and were able to pass them on the climb. The crampons were working well.
We all hit the summit of the north peak at the same time. The camera went back and forth for pictures and we made a quick visit to the overlook for additional shots there. Then, a quick trip down to the loop split, and then out. The hikers that were ahead of us spent much of their descent glissading the loop trail. A couple of the gang members did the same.
Near the base of the north peak we stopped for a needed break. This was the most difficult hike Jennifer has done since finishing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and understandably she was nearly out of gas. After some “happy food” and drink she was ready for the hike out. The heavy traffic really beat up the ice bridges at the stream crossings. I experienced some cracking as I crossed a couple times but my feet stayed dry. When we reached the Hancock Notch Trail I stopped and removed the crampons. Jennifer stayed with hers. All of the traffic from the day left the trail well tracked out but somewhat slippery too. The final 1.8 miles out went by fast. I think we were both daydreaming a little when we came upon the short climb to the Kancamagus Highway. A pleasant surprise for sure. We were both beat and ready for some seat time and the ride home.
But first, we made a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts in Lincoln for Jennifer’s post-hike coffee and donut.
BIGEarl's pictures
