North and South Hancock Hike

Total Distance: 9.8 mi.

Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes

Total Elevation: 2700 ft gained

The weather forecast from the National Weather Service was predicting mostly cloudy skies with a high of around 30ºF above 4000 ft with not much wind. We were prepared for no views from the top. The forecast was completely wrong.

We made rather quick work of the first 3.6 miles over relatively flat ground to the junction of the North and South links of the of the Hancock Loop Trail. Three of us started on  MicroSpikes while the other two wore snowshoes. The trail was packed powder with a soft surface, solid enough early for bare boots and microspikes up to the Hancock Loop Trail, but vulnerable to postholing as the sun came out later in the morning.   From there, the Hancock Loop Trail was badly chopped up. All us used snowshoes at the start of the North and South links of the Hancock Toop Trail knowing we would need the televators for the ascent and the shoes in general for the drifting on the ridge. We choose to ascend to Mt. Hancock first, which is the way Jon & I had previously hiked this loop in winter. 

The hike up to Mt. Hancock was incredibly steep. The televators aided us and made it bearable, but it was one hell of a workout. The sun was out and it felt really warm at the outlook/blow down just below the summit so we took some photos and enjoyed the warm sun. We made our way to the summit. 

Upon arriving on the summit there was no wind, temperatures were probably in the mid 20s, it was sunny and there were views! We went to the summit outlook for lunch and took some great photos. The clouds were moving around the summits from an approaching cold front. After lunch we started along the ridge.  

The trail along the ridge went from well packed to some drifted snow. The conditions were all over the place due to the wind that whips through this area.  We ran into a couple, one of whom plummeted into a trailside spruce trap right before our eyes, shoulder-deep. No snowshoes. Just before South Hancock we got some great views of the Arrow Slide and the Franconia Ridge. 

At South Hancock we carefully made our way down to the outlook to see the views of Mt. Chocorua and the some of the other mountains of the eastern portion of the Sandwich Range.

We then started our descent. With two long butt slides we would make it down the mountain in less than 15 minutes. 

We then kicked into zombie mode and hiked out the 3.6 miles back to the hairpin curve parking lot.

Everyone came back over the house for appetizers/beverages beside the fireplace, grilled steak dinner prepared by Jon and a relaxing evening watching Ultimate Survival Alaska.

Jon and Mike

>>View Pictures/Slide Show with Music

We will climb two 4,000 footers off the Kancamagus Highway! The majority of the hike will be in and on the same trail [3.5 miles] before we get to the Hancock Loop Trail. Hopefully the North Folk crossings will have good snow bridges. We will be going clockwise, going up to Mt. Hancock [4420'] then over to South Hancock [4319']. The climb up is steep with difficult snowshoeing, requiring vigourous step-kicking. Snow piles deep on the ridge, and the Ridge Link may be very hard to follow. The descent is butt-slide heaven!

We will hike about 9.8 miles and climb about =2,300 feet ~ for perspective the top floor of the Empire State Building is about 1,250 feet. It should take an average hiker about 7.5 hours to complete this trip ~ this estimate is adjusted to allow for slower travel during winter because of heavier packs, includes time for changing clothing to regulate temperature and putting on/taking off snowshoes or microspikes along the way.

What to wear/bring:  MicroSpikes are required but we may need snowshoes if there has been a recent snowstorm. We may not need snowshoes at the start so you should be prepared to strap your snowshoes onto your pack using bungy cords. Wear warm clothing suitable for the exposed ledge and summit(s)...no cotton or blue jeans.  You should also have insulated winter boots suitable for the season.  Additionally, bring a headlamp/flashlight.  Bring along plenty of water (at least 2 liters), lunch, snacks and anything else you may require for a day hike.

Afterwards:  Everyone is welcome to join us back at our house in Waterville Valley to relax by our fireplace [BYOB and bring snacks] followed by one of Jon's delicious dinners. We ask $5 per person to help pay for our food costs. Showers are available so bring a change of clothing to make your visit with us more comfortable.

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night for $20 per night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have limited space in the fridge to store your beverages/food so it's best to bring a small cooler. Space is limited so email me ASAP to reserve a bunk!