BIGEarl
Well-known member
January 4, 2014: The Hancocks
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Summits: North Hancock, South Hancock
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The forecast for the day at 2500 – 4000 feet showed a starting temperature of -17 to -27 and a west wind around 35 mph. That’s a brisk start. Through the day the winds were predicted to drop to ~30 mph and the temperature to increase to a high of ~16 degrees. The windchill numbers were pretty low. A hike sheltered from a westerly wind was our target.
We arrived to the trailhead with one other person already there. We slowly made our way through final hike prep. While this was going on others arrived. By the time we actually got moving there were five hikers (two pairs and a solo) in front of us and a solo behind (Brian Tausenfreund) but he passed us early and was gone – (he’s a pretty fast hiker taking care of #46 & #47 on this day). Good luck with Adams for #48 Brian!
We crossed the Kanc from the trailhead lot and stopped to put on our snowshoes. It was an end-to-end day with snowshoes; our first snowshoe hike for the season. The trail was in terrific shape. There were no postholes at all; the base is solid with an inch or two of loose powder, wide and flat with most rocks and roots buried. Another foot of snow would help to bury some of the ice still exposed on the steep sections.
We had an easy cruise to the junction with Cedar Brook Trail. From there to the Hancock Loop Trail was more of the same with all crossings bridged and no problem at all. One of the benefits to this hike with the prevailing conditions is it’s sheltered. We enjoyed calm conditions all the way to Hancock Loop Trail and when we finally arrived there we were being hit with the morning sun (finally). As we climbed there would be some sun to help offset the effects of the wind, and create a more favorable windchill. Windchill numbers don’t take into account the beneficial effects of the sun, which can be significant.
We made the turn onto Hancock loop trail and started the climb. The first mile was more of the same as we made our way to the loop split. We reached the split, made the turn, and headed for North Hancock first. On our way to the start of the steep ascent we enjoyed a very nice view of Arrow Slide and then we were into the climb. The heel lifts came up and we did the climb. The trail conditions were a little more difficult on the climb. The underlying surface conditions were less predictable with some exposed rocks, roots, and on top there were a couple inches of loose powder. Even with the MSRs it was a pretty good effort in places. Eventually we made our way above Arrow Slide, the trail headed west and the grade moderated.. As we climbed the snow amount increased. We were enjoying some really beautiful scenery on the hike. The wind was up but we were dressed for the conditions and had no trouble staying comfortable.
We reached the summit of North Hancock, got the usual pictures, and wandered to the viewpoint where we found some really nice distance views to enjoy. It wasn’t a good day to stand around for extended periods and we were soon on our way to South Hancock.
The hike to South Hancock was cool in places where the wind was blowing through. The trail continued in great shape as it was down low. We made our way to the south peak, got the usual pictures there, and soon started the descent. The wind was hitting the area hard and we needed to descend to calmer conditions.
The trip down from South Hancock was interesting. It’s steep, icy, and probably better suited for crampons but we stayed with the MSRs and slowly made our way down. There were a couple times we were forced to slide across some icy sections but were generally able to stay upright for most of the descent. Eventually we were out of the wind, and then off the steep terrain. We arrived to the loop split and settled into an easy cruise back to the trailhead.
The remainder of our exit hike went with no surprises at all. From the loop split to the trailhead is a short ~3.6 miles on a great snowshoe track. We arrived back to the Kanc, pulled our snowshoes, and crossed to the trailhead lot. Ours was the only vehicle remaining in the lot. The trailhead temperature showed at 7 degrees on the truck. Maybe conditions didn’t warm as much as were predicted for the day.
We got our things packed as the truck warmed up and were soon on the road back to Lincoln for a quick change into dry clothes and then the trip south.
Thanks Sue for another good day in the mountains. We had some tough conditions for the day but made the most of them and enjoyed a very nice hike.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Summits: North Hancock, South Hancock
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The forecast for the day at 2500 – 4000 feet showed a starting temperature of -17 to -27 and a west wind around 35 mph. That’s a brisk start. Through the day the winds were predicted to drop to ~30 mph and the temperature to increase to a high of ~16 degrees. The windchill numbers were pretty low. A hike sheltered from a westerly wind was our target.
We arrived to the trailhead with one other person already there. We slowly made our way through final hike prep. While this was going on others arrived. By the time we actually got moving there were five hikers (two pairs and a solo) in front of us and a solo behind (Brian Tausenfreund) but he passed us early and was gone – (he’s a pretty fast hiker taking care of #46 & #47 on this day). Good luck with Adams for #48 Brian!
We crossed the Kanc from the trailhead lot and stopped to put on our snowshoes. It was an end-to-end day with snowshoes; our first snowshoe hike for the season. The trail was in terrific shape. There were no postholes at all; the base is solid with an inch or two of loose powder, wide and flat with most rocks and roots buried. Another foot of snow would help to bury some of the ice still exposed on the steep sections.
We had an easy cruise to the junction with Cedar Brook Trail. From there to the Hancock Loop Trail was more of the same with all crossings bridged and no problem at all. One of the benefits to this hike with the prevailing conditions is it’s sheltered. We enjoyed calm conditions all the way to Hancock Loop Trail and when we finally arrived there we were being hit with the morning sun (finally). As we climbed there would be some sun to help offset the effects of the wind, and create a more favorable windchill. Windchill numbers don’t take into account the beneficial effects of the sun, which can be significant.
We made the turn onto Hancock loop trail and started the climb. The first mile was more of the same as we made our way to the loop split. We reached the split, made the turn, and headed for North Hancock first. On our way to the start of the steep ascent we enjoyed a very nice view of Arrow Slide and then we were into the climb. The heel lifts came up and we did the climb. The trail conditions were a little more difficult on the climb. The underlying surface conditions were less predictable with some exposed rocks, roots, and on top there were a couple inches of loose powder. Even with the MSRs it was a pretty good effort in places. Eventually we made our way above Arrow Slide, the trail headed west and the grade moderated.. As we climbed the snow amount increased. We were enjoying some really beautiful scenery on the hike. The wind was up but we were dressed for the conditions and had no trouble staying comfortable.
We reached the summit of North Hancock, got the usual pictures, and wandered to the viewpoint where we found some really nice distance views to enjoy. It wasn’t a good day to stand around for extended periods and we were soon on our way to South Hancock.
The hike to South Hancock was cool in places where the wind was blowing through. The trail continued in great shape as it was down low. We made our way to the south peak, got the usual pictures there, and soon started the descent. The wind was hitting the area hard and we needed to descend to calmer conditions.
The trip down from South Hancock was interesting. It’s steep, icy, and probably better suited for crampons but we stayed with the MSRs and slowly made our way down. There were a couple times we were forced to slide across some icy sections but were generally able to stay upright for most of the descent. Eventually we were out of the wind, and then off the steep terrain. We arrived to the loop split and settled into an easy cruise back to the trailhead.
The remainder of our exit hike went with no surprises at all. From the loop split to the trailhead is a short ~3.6 miles on a great snowshoe track. We arrived back to the Kanc, pulled our snowshoes, and crossed to the trailhead lot. Ours was the only vehicle remaining in the lot. The trailhead temperature showed at 7 degrees on the truck. Maybe conditions didn’t warm as much as were predicted for the day.
We got our things packed as the truck warmed up and were soon on the road back to Lincoln for a quick change into dry clothes and then the trip south.
Thanks Sue for another good day in the mountains. We had some tough conditions for the day but made the most of them and enjoyed a very nice hike.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
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