Date(s) Hiked: July 3, 2006
Trails(s) Hiked: Hancock Notch to Cedar Brook to Hancock Loop (clockwise)
Total Distance: 9.6 miles RT.
Difficulty: Easy access; steep ascent up North, nice ridge walk, steep descent. In all, moderate to difficult.
Conditions: Dry trails mainly; some very wet sections. River crossings were fine. Bugs above the river crossings and at the summits were terrible! :x The North ascent had very good footing. Weather: Some hazy sunshine with highs in the 70's. Nice light breeze at times. Visibility was good.
Special Required Equipment: Good bug dope.
Trip Report: After jumpstarting my 4000 footers for this season with a hike up Mount Pierce, it was time to step it up and do a longer hike while checking out two more summits. I had read up on the Hancocks in the books and online and was ready to check them out. I had read that the ascent was mainly a steep scramble up the peaks with a long gentle approach. So I decided to head out.
I had a bit of a hard time getting up and on the drive I was a bit stressed from work/life in general. "Why am I doing this?" I asked as I began the ascent up Route 118 over Moosilauke. About the same time I realized that I was without my cell phone :roll: in case of an emergency. Six or so miles later I came to the first familiar vista of the Whites and my worries/anxieties disappeared: I was ready.
I made it to the trailhead in 1:30 or so, which was not a bad drive. A bit later than wanted, but better than not making it. The trailhead is the sharp hairpin turn on the Kanc with a great view of the Osceolas from the lot that many folks were enjoying. Though the Hancocks were more isolated and quiet than their neighbors in Franconia Notch, they did have a fair number of visitors including a summer camp, another peakbagger, and some other solo hikers. In total, I passed/met about 15-20 people, which was small compared to the Pierce trip.
I left the trailhead at 9:40am and made it to the Cedar Brook Trail in about 40-45 mins--making good time. The trail was largely flat and dry with some mud every now and then. The trail passed around a ridgeline and hugged the North Branch.
After bearing left on the Cedar Brook Trail, I descended to the first of many stream crossings...all of which were doable after 30 seconds of planning and scanning. The bugs increased as I went...becoming more annoying. After a short while, I made it to the Hancock Loop and began a steadier ascent. I noticed that the camp group was just off-trail dumping their bags. This trail had some muddy sections and more bugs.
At the Loop Junction, the bugs were really bad. I reapplied my bug dope and spoke to two hikers--one who was on his way out and confirmed that the North ascent was best (while also warning about a bad "bog" on the ridgeline) and another man who I had tailed on the way up and was now heading back to his car.
"I'm really hurting." He said pointing to his feet. He had hiked a lot of mountains that weekend (Tecumseh, Osceolas, etc) and the blisters were getting to him...so he was bailing. I commended him for being smart and avoiding getting into trouble.
After this brief respite, I began my final ascent at around 11:15am. I knew that the last .7 miles would involve much climbing....straight up the side of the mountain just beside the distinct Arrow Slide as seen here on David Metsky's site. Glancing up one last time, I began the descent to the ravine floor and the steep ascent via some newly laid stone steps. This was an arduous hike, but I knew it would take about an hour and I would take my time, taking breaks and water when needed. I pushed up further and further and stopped every now and then to enjoy the limited views. At just shy of noon, I made it to the summit and the outlook. It was much better than advertised! There was one other woman who shared the spot with me. I enjoyed lunch and the views. I was able to identify Passaconway, Whiteface, the Tripyramids, Sandwich Dome, Osceolas, Loon Mountain (gondi and North Peak Quad terminals), Cardigan, Cube, Smarts, and Moosilauke. Hancock Notch, South Hancock, Hitchcock, and even part of the Franconia Ridge were also in sight.
I spent a while up here before more folks came and I decided to press on. The ridge took about an hour to hike and was not too difficult. I had been warned about the bog section and I took a well-trodden detour. The views of Cardigan, the backside of Lafayette (very cool), and Arrow Slide through the trees were nice, but the bugs were very bad. I made it to the South Summit and descended to the lookout. There was another hiker there and we talked--she was particularly mad about the river crossings. Through the increasing afternoon haze, I could make out Chocorua and Attitash-Bear Peak. The view also included the Passaconway area as well.
I descended the South Peak trail and it was much rougher and steeper than the other side. The footing was not as great....loose gravel in places. I met two hikers who were making the ascent. Before too long I was back at the intersection and on my way back out on flat approach trails. The bugs had really been bad...they were still relentless. Once I got to Hancock Notch, they died down.
I made it back to my car just shy of 4pm. A good day and a lot of fun. The bugs were really bad, but oh well. At least it was not raining!
Pictures coming soon.
Two more peaks on my list. :wink:
Trails(s) Hiked: Hancock Notch to Cedar Brook to Hancock Loop (clockwise)
Total Distance: 9.6 miles RT.
Difficulty: Easy access; steep ascent up North, nice ridge walk, steep descent. In all, moderate to difficult.
Conditions: Dry trails mainly; some very wet sections. River crossings were fine. Bugs above the river crossings and at the summits were terrible! :x The North ascent had very good footing. Weather: Some hazy sunshine with highs in the 70's. Nice light breeze at times. Visibility was good.
Special Required Equipment: Good bug dope.
Trip Report: After jumpstarting my 4000 footers for this season with a hike up Mount Pierce, it was time to step it up and do a longer hike while checking out two more summits. I had read up on the Hancocks in the books and online and was ready to check them out. I had read that the ascent was mainly a steep scramble up the peaks with a long gentle approach. So I decided to head out.
I had a bit of a hard time getting up and on the drive I was a bit stressed from work/life in general. "Why am I doing this?" I asked as I began the ascent up Route 118 over Moosilauke. About the same time I realized that I was without my cell phone :roll: in case of an emergency. Six or so miles later I came to the first familiar vista of the Whites and my worries/anxieties disappeared: I was ready.
I made it to the trailhead in 1:30 or so, which was not a bad drive. A bit later than wanted, but better than not making it. The trailhead is the sharp hairpin turn on the Kanc with a great view of the Osceolas from the lot that many folks were enjoying. Though the Hancocks were more isolated and quiet than their neighbors in Franconia Notch, they did have a fair number of visitors including a summer camp, another peakbagger, and some other solo hikers. In total, I passed/met about 15-20 people, which was small compared to the Pierce trip.
I left the trailhead at 9:40am and made it to the Cedar Brook Trail in about 40-45 mins--making good time. The trail was largely flat and dry with some mud every now and then. The trail passed around a ridgeline and hugged the North Branch.
After bearing left on the Cedar Brook Trail, I descended to the first of many stream crossings...all of which were doable after 30 seconds of planning and scanning. The bugs increased as I went...becoming more annoying. After a short while, I made it to the Hancock Loop and began a steadier ascent. I noticed that the camp group was just off-trail dumping their bags. This trail had some muddy sections and more bugs.
At the Loop Junction, the bugs were really bad. I reapplied my bug dope and spoke to two hikers--one who was on his way out and confirmed that the North ascent was best (while also warning about a bad "bog" on the ridgeline) and another man who I had tailed on the way up and was now heading back to his car.
"I'm really hurting." He said pointing to his feet. He had hiked a lot of mountains that weekend (Tecumseh, Osceolas, etc) and the blisters were getting to him...so he was bailing. I commended him for being smart and avoiding getting into trouble.
After this brief respite, I began my final ascent at around 11:15am. I knew that the last .7 miles would involve much climbing....straight up the side of the mountain just beside the distinct Arrow Slide as seen here on David Metsky's site. Glancing up one last time, I began the descent to the ravine floor and the steep ascent via some newly laid stone steps. This was an arduous hike, but I knew it would take about an hour and I would take my time, taking breaks and water when needed. I pushed up further and further and stopped every now and then to enjoy the limited views. At just shy of noon, I made it to the summit and the outlook. It was much better than advertised! There was one other woman who shared the spot with me. I enjoyed lunch and the views. I was able to identify Passaconway, Whiteface, the Tripyramids, Sandwich Dome, Osceolas, Loon Mountain (gondi and North Peak Quad terminals), Cardigan, Cube, Smarts, and Moosilauke. Hancock Notch, South Hancock, Hitchcock, and even part of the Franconia Ridge were also in sight.
I spent a while up here before more folks came and I decided to press on. The ridge took about an hour to hike and was not too difficult. I had been warned about the bog section and I took a well-trodden detour. The views of Cardigan, the backside of Lafayette (very cool), and Arrow Slide through the trees were nice, but the bugs were very bad. I made it to the South Summit and descended to the lookout. There was another hiker there and we talked--she was particularly mad about the river crossings. Through the increasing afternoon haze, I could make out Chocorua and Attitash-Bear Peak. The view also included the Passaconway area as well.
I descended the South Peak trail and it was much rougher and steeper than the other side. The footing was not as great....loose gravel in places. I met two hikers who were making the ascent. Before too long I was back at the intersection and on my way back out on flat approach trails. The bugs had really been bad...they were still relentless. Once I got to Hancock Notch, they died down.
I made it back to my car just shy of 4pm. A good day and a lot of fun. The bugs were really bad, but oh well. At least it was not raining!
Pictures coming soon.
Two more peaks on my list. :wink:
