South Hancock (4,319 feet)

South Hancock from North Hancock's Summit

Mount Hancock and South Hancock are located just outside the boundry of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.  The Hancock loop trail goes over both peaks and is very steep and has rough footing the half mile or so going up to each peak from the Hancock Loop Trail Split.  There are no other trails that take you up the Hancocks but there is the "Arrow Slide" which is a steep open slide that is another way up to North Hancock.  There are two outlooks near each summit that have decent views and usually there are Gray Jays at the summit which will eat trail mix right out of your hand!

Trails I've Hiked:

- Hancock Notch Trail/Cedar Brook Trail/Hancock Loop Trail: 4.9 miles, 2,650 elevation gain.  The Hancock Notch Trailhead is located at the "Hair Pin" turn on the Kancamagus Highway.  The Hancock Notch Trail to the Cedar Brook Trail has good footing and very easy grades.  The Cedar Brook Trail has moderate grades and decent footing.  There are several brook crossings on the Cedar Brook Trail that can be annoying when the water is running high, not dangerous but you're going to get your boots wet.  The Hancock Loop trail has moderate grades until the trail junction split where you can go left for Hancock or right for South Hancock.  From here the trail ascends rapidly over the next .5 miles with footing that is poor at best with exposed roots and loose rocks.  Between summits the footing is better and the trail is pretty easy-going.

Trip Reports:

May 23rd, 2016: Up and down Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail South Link (RUN NH48)

February 7th, 2016: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

November 21st, 2015: Up and down Mount Osceola Trail, down Greeley Ponds Trail, up Kancamagus Highway and Hancock Notch Trail, up cedar Brook Trail, up and down Hancock Loop Trail, down Cedar Brook and Hancock Notch Trail, down Kancamagus Highway, up and down Greeley Ponds Trail, across Livermore Trail, up Tripoli Road

October 8th, 2015: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails (Run)

August 14th, 2015: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

April 26th, 2015: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

March 21st, 2015: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

January 25th, 2015: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

December 8th, 2013: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

September 23rd, 2013: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

July 3rd, 2013: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

June 22nd, 2012: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

January 14th, 2012: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

December 22nd, 2011:Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trails

September 6th, 2010: The Arrow Slide

July 3rd, 2009: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trail

December 23rd, 2009: Up and down Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop Trail