Hiking the Hancocks 10/18/08

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

On October 18th we hiked the Hancocks via the Hancock Notch Trail. We started at 8:20 am at the trailhead near the hairpin turn on the Kancamagus Highway. At the parking lot we met Lisa J and Jeff; members of the MWO forum.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05616.jpg
It was a crisp 32° at the start. This seemed quite cold for us since we recently had 80° temperatures (in Baltimore) when we left on Friday. The trail was littered with fallen leaves, which made it more colorful than the contrasting brown of the trees.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05617.jpg
Along the way we saw firsthand what many trip reporters have been mentioning, regarding the fungi growing on the trees and on the ground. This one resembles an ice cream sundae; some other people think it’s a one eyed duck.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05619.jpg
The trail continued at a moderate elevation gain until the last 7/10’s where we reached the spur trail to the overlook near the summit of North Hancock. We were greeted by some hungry Canadian Jays.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05629.jpg
We were then joined by other hikers, which made the three rock slabs quite crowded.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05633.jpg
We left the overlook at around 12 noon to go over to South Hancock. We reached the second peak by 12:55 pm. Close to the summit is a fine view to the East and Southeast.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05636.jpg
One the way down from South Hancock some fine views of North Hancock can also be seen.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05637.jpg
Along the trail we met 3 dogs who had brought their owners out for a hike and we encountered a couple stream crossings which were negotiated quite easily.
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05640.jpg
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05645.jpg
We reached the trailhead once again at approximately 3:30 pm and we were already planning our next hike: East Osceola!
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/DSC05653.jpg

[TrishandAlex]

Lovely pictures! So those are the views from the Hancocks! We only got to see the inside of a cloud when we were there, lol.

What did you think of the hike? So far, that's one of my favorites, due to the relative ease and very short steep bits.

[KD Talbot]

Nice picks and TR! Glad you're gettin' out and enjoyin' our fine mountains! Just bein' a wiseguy here, but you say: "Close to the summit is a fine view to the East and Southeast.", but the picture you show is of Franconia Ridge to the northwest. Better get a new compass before your next hike. :)

Hope you had plenty of fluffernutters with ya!

KDT

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

Thanks for all the comments; but I think we've had our fill of Fluffernutters. We ate at least 4 of them. Surprisingly, we really didn't eat that much on the 4 hikes we did; considering the amount of energy expelled. We did keep hydrated.

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

Lovely pictures! So those are the views from the Hancocks! We only got to see the inside of a cloud when we were there, lol.

What did you think of the hike? So far, that's one of my favorites, due to the relative ease and very short steep bits.

It was a good warmup hike for us with good views (the ones you missed). A nice steady ascent with the tough .7 to N Hancock.