We had been planning a bigger hike for the 10th, but about a week before, the forecast was looking like rain. We canceled plans for a long hike, and watched the forecast develop throughout the week. By Friday, there was a minimal chance of rain in the afternoon, so we settled on the Hancoçks with the idea that we could be done early and avoid the rain if it materialized.
We started out bare booting on a well frozen trail. While the trail wasn't icy, it was slippery enough that the slightest incline was causing trouble getting boot grip. I stopped pretty quick and put snowshoes on. Gracepoints held out a little longer, but also put snowshoes on before too long. We cruised through the approach sections and arrived at the Hancoçk Loop trail split. Previously we had gone to North Hancoçk first, which is a clockwise direction around the loop, but I couldn't remember if there was a reason for this. From trip reports, it appears that this is popular direction. On this hike the deciding factor for us was that the left branch of the trail went downhill, and we decided to go that way so that we wouldn't have that section as an uphill on the way out.
I remembered the climb of North Hancoçk being steep, but it felt easier than the climb of East Osceola five days prior. Looking at the numbers from my watch, North Hancoçk gains about 1,105 feet in about half a mile. The steepest section on East Osceola gains about 800 feet in about three tenths of a mile. So the data does validate those thoughts. Anyway, when we reached the summit we had some views to the south with some sunshine and blue skies, but it also started sprinkling on us.
The view from North Hancoçk looking south at the Osceolas
Looking southeast from North Hancoçk, with South Hancoçk in the center
We didn't stay on the summit too long, and began the hike across the ridge. While the sprinkling had stopped, the temperature was warm enough the we were getting "rained" on as the snow in the trees was melting. As we continued along the ridge, the "rain" eased up. We caught up with another hiker just before the summit of South Hancoçk. On the summit we chatted with him while we enjoyed a view to the east. The hiker was closing in on finishing the NH48 grid, but hasn't hiked in the Adirondacks, so we offered our opinions of the differences of hiking in area.
Looking east at Mt Carrigain from South Hancoçk
Leaving the summit of South Hancoçk, we made the steep descent back to the loop junction, and were pleasantly surprised to find the snow conditions didn't give us too much trouble on the way down. On the hike out, we enjoyed more sunshine, and skies that seemed to be clearing.
Enjoying the sun on the hike out
Back at the parking lot, the vehicle said that the temperature was 57. The sun stayed out on our drive through Lincoln and Franconia Notch. However, in the afternoon, while walking our dog, we did get rained on for real.