June 30, 2007 Hike #2
Here's the track for hike #2 of the day.
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View from Hancock Overlook
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Madison and I started out on the Hancock Notch Trail at 2:00 pm.
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The trail started off easy enough.
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Madison cools off in a stream
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We turned onto the Cedar Brook Trail.
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Bog Bridging
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Maddie and I crossed the brook many times.
She made sure she laid down in it each time.
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I saw a couple hikers ahead and recognized one of them. It was Mike. I had hiked with him in February when we climbed Mount Whiteface. I remember that I joked with him that day that I was bad luck when it came to getting clear views on the summits. He also said he was bad luck. Someone else said that we would cancel each other out that day. It must have been true because we had great views that day. Today was also a good day for views so I guess we cancelled each other out again. Thanks Mike.
These roots did their best to try to trip me.
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Next I turned onto the Hancock Loop Trail.
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About a mile in, the trail splits. This is where the loop starts. I met some hikers coming down and asked them which way I should do the loop. They recommended going clockwise.
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Most of the elevation gain for this hike is in the last half mile. About half way up I took a break. Madison thought it was a good idea as well.
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Up some more
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Finally, a bit of a view as I looked across to South Hancock.
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Maddie and I made it to the 4420' summit. This was White Mountains 4000 footer #44.
We then walked down to the outlook which was just a few yards away.
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The view wasn't quite as grand as Liberty and Flume which I did earlier today, but there was still a great view to the south.
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Looking over to South Hancock
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Time to head over to South Hancock
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Looking back to Mount Hancock
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Maddie and I reached the 4319' summit of South Hancock. That's #45, just 3 more. If you walk a few yards down from the summit there is outlook to the southeast.
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We made the steep climb down South Hancock. Well these signs looks familiar. I guess we finished the loop.
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We then retraced our steps arriving at the parking lot at 7:15 pm. I'm guessing I was the first one on Liberty and Flume today but the last one on Hancock and South Hancock. It was a beautiful day, and I had all four summits to myself.
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