North and South Hancock is a 9.8 mile hike RT. The parking lot is right at the hair pin turn on the Kancamagus Highway, and the trail head is across the street. You follow the Hancock Notch Trail for 3.6 miles until the split for Hancock Loop Trail, where you can choose to ascent either North or South Hancock. The first 3.6 miles is really mild with a couple of stream crossings that might be difficult in the spring. We had no problem with them, but the water levels are much less in the fall. The only challenging part of the trail for us was the .5 ascent to South Hancock, it's very steep. We prefer to hike up the really steep sections than down them which is why we chose to ascent South Hancock first. The views were really stunning with neat cloud formations. Here are some pictures! See below for my take on trail etiquette :)
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| Start of the hike and the first signs of fall! |
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| A huge uprooted tree! |
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| The first steep part of the trail, heading up to South Peak |
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| View from South peak |
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| Easiest 1.4 miles we have ever hiked! Only took about 20 minutes to get to North Peak |
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| View from North Peak |
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| Trying to figure out which mountains we were looking at |
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| A nice guy offered to take our picture! |
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| The trail down from North Peak was a mess |
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| Back at the parking lot... Osceola's in the background! |
Since this hike wasn't too eventful, I wanted to take some time to talk about trail etiquette. One of the reasons I love the outdoors is because the people you meet are usually really friendly! Every once and a while, you run across people that arn't so nice and you wonder what they are doing on the trail because it doesn't seem to mesh with the serenity of the mountains. Some of the nicest hikers I have ever met were AT thru hikers on Mt. Moosilauke. Since they had been on the trail for months, they really knew the "rules of the road"... or trail! I wanted to take this time to share a couple of good rules to hike by.
- Smile and say hello to people you meet on the trail. It makes me feel much more comfortable if I know a little something about the other people on the trail. Nothing huge, just a little hello, how is your day, info about trail conditions if the other hiker is going the opposite direction. This could also work to your benefit if you get hurt and need assistance. Nothing is worse than when you say hello to a fellow hiker and they completely ignore you and walk right by without stoping, which brings me to the next rule...
- The uphill hiker has the right of way. When I was researching this, there was a lot of controversy because people felt the descending hiker should have the right of way because they have gravity working with them. It seems to me though that the uphill hiker should have the right of way because they are working harder. I'm sure most uphill hikers wont have a problem taking a quick break to catch their breath, but some people like to keep going once they get in a groove. Be respectful to fellow hikers and give the uphill hiker the right of way.
- Faster hikers should pass on the left. They should also let the hiker up ahead of them that they are coming. Nothing is more frightening than all of a sudden someone right behind you with no notice.
- Dogs. I love dogs but I've had my share of frightening moments with them on the trail. Traversing from North to South Hancock, I was hiking along minding my business when all of a sudden I heard something growling at me. It was a low grumble and I thought it was a bear. I froze and all I could think of was what the heck I was going to do it all of a sudden I saw a bear right on the trail. Turns out it was just a big... I mean big dog, quite a bit ahead of its owner on the trail coming to see who was up ahead. It stopped walking but kept growling at me until its owner caught up. The owner said nothing and kept walking... see rule #1. Keep scary dogs on a leash! Praise owners of well behaved dogs!
- Huge groups of hikers. If you are with a large group, you should allow a solo hiker or smaller group to pass rather than clog up the trail.
- Leave no trace. Whether it is food waste, trash, bathroom waste. Pack it out with you. Nothing worse than seeing #2 and toilet paper right next to the trail. Also, leave the trail how you found it and try not to go off the trail to prevent erosion.
To me, these are some of the most important trail rules. I'm sure I will still run across a few unfriendly people while hiking, but at least I can be a good example and hope others will follow! If anyone disagrees or has more "hiking rules" to add, please let me know!
Happy Trails :)
