The Hancocks

In the final days of August, Nick and Jack drove north to the mountains of New Hampshire. Nick was working towards his goal of hiking the tallest mountains in New England. He had invited Jack to join him, who readily agreed. Years had passed since Jack had climbed the peaks of the Hancock Mountains, and only vague memories of the winter hike remained.

In the waning days of summer, days were already beginning to grow shorter. The two stayed overnight at a busy campground near the trailhead.

Rising before the sun, Jack broke camp quickly, packing his bivy and tarp into a bag to be washed and aired out upon his return. Temperatures had fallen below 8℃. The two worked without speaking. They wore jackets and hats, headlamps and fleece. Fall was coming to the White Mountains soon.

After fortifying themselves with coffee at a roadside stop, they arrived at the trailhead located at the Hancock Overlook on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire.

The parking lot is located at a hairpin turn in the road, a well known feature for those that travel the scenic highway.

Nick parked the vehicle near the trail entrance. Groups of hikers were already filling the lot, preparing for a hike to the same peaks that Nick and Jack were seeking.

The sun was making it’s way to the ridge, and low clouds that obscured the summits nearby were starting to lift. Jack lifted the coffee cup to his lips, wanting to finish the brew before the hike. The Hancock Overlook featured one of the finest views on the highway.

Nick was shrugging into his pack when Jack returned to the car. He tossed his cup in the trash bag in the car. Pulling his pack on, he cinched the waist belt and fastened the chest strap, finally pulling the shoulder strap adjusters to a snug but comfortable fit.

Both hikers had packed away the “puffy” jackets, but still wore an insulating layer over their “base layer” shirts. They would soon warm with the exertion of the hike.

The beginning of the trail is an interesting one for the Hancocks. The trail started at a small gate, and descended back to the highway. Nick and Jack would have to cross at the sharp bend in the road.

Safely across the highway, they descended into the canopy of trees and began to move along the wide, flat trail. They moved quickly. The sound of the nearby river rushed over it’s rocky course just yards away.

The two hikers talked a bit at interval, covering many subjects. The river was left behind, and the sun rose above the horizon in a stand of tall fir and maple trees.

The topo map indicated the trail would begin a more pronounced ascent at 2.5 miles. Jack remembered digging in snowshoes for the final leg to the top of the mountain. At roughly two miles the trail would fork left, and almost a mile later turn right. The two would ascend to Hancock Mountain, and then follow the trail to it’s neighbor. The path would then loop back to the original trail and out to the car below.

At three miles, the trail began to climb steadily, with larger rocks and less roots.

They had crossed several streams, but the water crossings were easily managed. The forest was still dry from a lack of rain in late summer.

Nick and Jack passed through another stand of trees. Jack marveled at how easy the hike had been so far, and wondered when the time would come for the hard work.

Nearing the final mile to the summit, the trail suddenly plunged to a river bed that had dried up long ago. From here the path rose steeply. The ascent stood out in Jack’s mind. He could recall digging into the snow pack with his mountaineering snowshoes to keep from sliding back.

The two labored up the steep path. They were both stripped to shirt sleeves for the workout, even though the temperatures would not crest 15°C today.

At the top of a set of stairs built into the trail, Jack looked back the way they had come. The surrounding mountains were still shrouded in clouds.

The trail began to level off, and the ascent became more bearable. Jack knew they were “over the hump.” Several groups of hikers were behind them and a few in front. It would be a busy day on the trails. Standing at the overlook on Hancock Mountain, the clouds began to clear to reveal the view.

Nick and Jack took a few minutes to rest. Severl groups passed on the way to Middle Hancock. Nick pulled a plum from his pack. Jack heard the crunch of the fruit as Nick took a bite.

“It’s tough to get plums when they’re perfectly ripe. He thought. Too soon and they are bitter. Too late, it’s a messy wet snack.”

They turned and began the journey to Middle and South Hancock. It was a fine, easy hike.

Moving along the trail, Jack was transported back in time to the winter years before. The trail was a different landscape with harsher conditions.

The snow had clung to the trees, ice and frozen snow crunching underfoot. It had been very cold. Jack looked back over his shoulder at the peak behind him,but winter was still far away.

Jack followed Nick along the trail. He was beginning to slow down now, relaxing knowing they were on the last leg of the hike and soon approaching the descent. They passed over a few bog bridges.

In the mud was a paw print. Did it belong to a bear?

It didn’t look like a black bear print, but was quite large for a dog. Jack shrugged his shoulders and moved on.

Soon they reached South Hancock. Nick and Jack watched the groups pass by on their travels down the mountain. After a lunch break, they walked the short distance to the overlook. The viewpoint was from a small section of ledge. It offered a spectacular view.

Dodging the next batch of incoming viewers, Nick and Jack began their descent to the trailhead. The trail down from South Hancock was badly eroded, but less steep than their ascent to Hancock Mountain. Showers threatened later in the afternoon as they reached the car. The best part of the day had been in the mountains and Nick could now cross two more summits from his 48 list.