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The Hancock Loop Trail is the only trail to Mount Hancock, a 4000-footer at the edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It starts with old woods roads to the loop junction, climbs steeply to the N or S peak depending on which fork you take, then follows a wandering path along the ridge to the other peak before descending back to the loop junction. The route up the N peak is rougher and steeper so many people like to go up that way and down the slightly-better route from the S peak.
Note that the USGS recognizes only one Mount Hancock, the N peak. The AMC 4000 Footer Club recognizes the N and S peaks, and the Trailwrights once recognized the middle peak and now the trailless NW spur.
Distance: From Cedar Brook Trail around loop ending at loop junction, about 3.7 miles
From Hancock Notch Trail parking lot around loop and return to parking lot, about 9.6 miles total
Elevation gain: From Cedar Brook Trail around loop ending at loop junction, about 2100 feet
From Hancock Overlook parking lot around loop and return, about 2700 feet
Maps:
USGS Mount Osceola, Mount Carrigain
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-7
DeLorme NHA&G 44-H1/2 - Lincoln
Lincoln is located at Exit 32 of I-93
Start of Trail: Junction with Cedar Brook Trail, elevation about 2700 feet
To reach this point, take I-93 Exit 32 at Lincoln and go E on NH Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway) about 11 miles to Hancock Overlook parking lot. Follow Hancock Notch Trail 1.7 miles, turn L on Cedar Brook Trail and hike .7 miles more to Hancock Loop Trail. The approach trails are both old woods roads with mostly easy grades, but they have 10 notable and several smaller brook crossings and are best avoided in high water.
Owner: White Mountain NF
Maintainer: AMC
Special regulations: NA
From the Cedar Brook Trail, the Hancock Loop Trail ascends at a gradual grade, soon crossing the North Fork yet again. Beyond the crossing it climbs R away from the brook, then runs parallel well above. At 1.1 miles, the loop junction is reached.
To climb the main (N) peak first, turn L and angle down toward the brook which is crossed at 1.2 miles, a short distance upstream from the base of the Arrow Slide. This brook may be dry in summer. The trail now begins a steep climb of about a thousand feet in half a mile, over rocks and roots with loose gravel, before swinging L toward the summit. At 1.8 miles, a junction is reached at a small ledge outcrop considered the official summit.
The main trail continues ahead to the N nearly level for 50 yards passing an alternate highpoint, then swings E and SE, with little elevation loss. Finally it reaches the SE ridge and descends more steeply before reaching a flattish col. Next it climbs over a minor knoll, then passes near the summit of the middle peak at 2.8 miles. The trail now briefly follows near the Pemigewasset-Saco divide, descending quickly to a col and then climbing a narrow ridge to the summit of the S peak at 3.2 miles.
The main trail turns sharply R and descends steeply to the loop junction at 3.7 miles. Turn L to return to the Cedar Brook Trail and NH Route 112.
NA
Map Notes: NA
Trail up Hancock
Arrow slide from near S Hancock
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