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Whatta day! Would 100% recommend snowshoes or micro spikes- I was good with spikes, but many others had snowshoes and looked like they were having an easier time. Summit was windy but beautiful views. Prepare to butt slide down 70% of the trail... so fun!!
We did it in spikes and it was good as long as we remained in the trail. Awesome day !
Great hike to do in the snow (spikes are a must, snowshoes a nice to have)! We had beautiful blue skies, 21 degrees, took us about 6 hours. There were quite a few cars at the trailhead but the trail didn't feel crowded. The first few miles of the hike were more or less flat/very gradual incline. When you get to the loop, definitely go up north peak and down south peak. The trail up to north peak goes down for a while which is demoralizing but it isn't too long, and then the incline starts. It was pretty steep at parts and lasted about a mile and a half. I wouldn't want to have tried it without spikes/snowshoes. The trail was beautiful in the snow, and we were lucky to enjoy clear views at the top. There are outlooks at both peaks, but they're small (could only fit about ~5 people) so we took turns with other hikers. We also had fun feeding the gray jays (out of our outstretched palms!) at the top of north peak - bring some trail mix to share with them, they're friendly :) The jaunt from north to south peak (1.4 miles) was pretty easy and flew by. South peak was quite a bit windier so we didn't stay long, and were glad we had our lunch at north peak instead. South peak is steeep and everyone slides down on their bums (yes, really!). For this, I cannot recommend rain pants enough, but one in our crew used a trashbag and it worked pretty well. You will fly down this like a water slide so you need breaks/a rudder. We found that wearing spikes and keeping one leg bent so you're practically sitting on it with spikes in the snow and the other leg outstretched was a good technique. The slide was the best part of the hike - so so fun and such a thrill! Overall, wonderful hike, and the slide made for an especially fun snowy hike. PS. In case you're a dumbo like me - bring your water in a water bottle (ideally with a little insulation), not a bladder because the water in the straw/tube will freeze!
LOST GOPRO: 2/21/21– reward: the GoPro! somewhere between mile 0.5 and 1 on the Hale Brook Trail. If by some miracle you find it, you can keep the camera, but please find me on fb so I could get the SD card Otherwise, the trail was steep and deep! As advertised.
The trail was awesome. Snow shoes would definitely come in handy. If you go off the path at all you’re probably sinking 3ft deep. My group went up the north side and sledded down the south. Sledding was awesome! Definitely make sure to have a brake ( we just kicked our spikes in the ground but I’ve heard of people using snowshoes too) because you pick up quite a bit of speed and there are some close calls with the trees. Over all great day!
A great trail to kick off the winter season
Beautiful day. Not too cold and no wind. Trail was moderately packed with some loose “sugar”. Easy in for a few miles then a steep ascent to the north peak for .7 miles. A good workout. Easy 1.4 over to the south peak and a steep descent that was perfect for butt sliding. 15 minutes to go the .5 down to where the trail splits then a few easy miles out. Not great views at either summit but great on the way up, along the ridge and at the outlook on the north peak.
Excellent trail , massive elevation gain the last mile . The snow was packed down and I slid down the trail with my snow pants
3 miles of road closure leading to trailhead, so I highly recommend x-country skis to speed that up. Steady incline all the way to top. Clearing at top with no view. Jogged back down
Trail up North Hancock packed well with some loose snow. Most folks didn't wear snowshoes so the footholes going up north were great. Trail over to South Hancock summit was a little less packed but I was fine with microspikes. Most of the hikers were just wearing spikes but there were definitely folks in snowshoes. Ended up butt sliding down South which was awesome. Carried my snowshoes the whole trip but I can see where some folks may want to wear them. Water crossings were easy. Trails were a bit crowded which is why I gave the hike 4 stars instead of 5.
reviewed Mount Bigelow via Appalachian Trail and Fire Warden Trail
February 13, 2021Saturday February 13, 2021. 9:45 AM start. Trailhead weather 15F-21F (Warner than predicted). Clear skies Wind 5-10 mph. Packed snow all the way to top. Winter wonderland. Great views of Pemigewasset and Sandwich wilderness including the Franconia Ridge and Chocorua. Great butt sliding down hill.
Awesome
Hiked yesterday 2-6-21. Saw a combination of people wearing snowshoes and micro spikes. I had micro spikes and had no problem. Good steady climb with the last section a bit steeper. Pretty windy at the top. Was glad I had goggles with me. Lots of people out enjoying the trail. There was a log across the trail on my way up and by the time I was back that way on my decent it had already been cut up. Great trail maintenance!!!
