Hancocks N&S, 7-4-2007

As my first attempt in a 4000' footer in about six years I felt it necessary to get a good start on this hike. I camped on the night of July 3, 2007 at the Big Rock Campground a few miles West of the hairpin turn on the Kancamangus Highway in New Hampshire.

I woke up early and hit the Hancock Notch Trail at about 7:15am and hiked up until it meets with Cedar Brook Trail. From there I hiked the Cedar Brook Trail up to the Hancock Loop trail. All the water crossings were fairly easy to cross and boy were there a lot of them. I hiked up to South Hancock first.

Up to this point, the trail was relatively flat with a few quick gains but from here to the top of South Hancock, it was extremely steep and I was out of shape so I found it tough going up. The view of the Aarow Slide on Mt. Hancock from the South Hancock end of the Hancock loop trail helped me along.

With many breaks, at last I reached the summit. The summit of South Hancock is 4000' #1 for me so this is a big moment. No view from the summit at all but a brief 100' walk or so to the outlook there are some decent views. The day however was hazy as a warm front was moving in. Below is a picture from the outlook on South Hancock.

After taking a brief view from the outlook, I then hiked the back side of the loop over Middle Hancock (which used to be on the Trailwrights list but has been replaced by Northwest Hancock) to Hancock Mountain. This was a quick walk lots of up and down grades, but compared to the hike up the last .5 miles up South Hancock it was easy. I reached the Summit of Hancock Mountain which is if your keeping count at home 4000' #2 for me. I walked to the outlook which even on a hazy day had spectacular views.

I sat and ate a few PB&J sandwiches and I was off back home.

The hike down of .7 miles was extremely steep and felt more like 1.5 miles then .7 miles. I think it is steeper then the hike up South Hancock. If I were to do this again, I would probably go up North Hancock and down South Hancock.

My knees took a beating, partly because I'm French and partly because the Trail was extremely unforgiving. I reached the flats and walked out. The walk out seems longer than the walk in, however in my experience... it always does. 9.8 miles and 6 hours and 45 minutes later I was in my car headed back home.

People are funny sometimes. This is my first 4000' peak and I made damn sure that I had what I needed for this hike in terms of gear. I had probably too much gear: Extra clothes and food and such. About 2 miles in from the road, a family of about 6 asked me how far it was to the summit. I told them it would be another 3 miles at least and scared them away. I also told them that they had not even hit the uphill part yet. I figure as a parent, the least you can do is be prepared. They had a few smaller children with them who never would have made it another 3 miles let alone the 5 mile walk out. They turned around after we talked and looked at my map and I directed them over to the ranger station a few miles up the road. Hopefully they will figure out something fun to do.