BIGEarl
Well-known member
September 11, 2010: Hancocks via Arrow Slide and Osceolas
Trails: Two Hikes…
Hancocks: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, Arrow Slide
Osceolas: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mount Osceola Trail
Summits: North Hancock, South Hancock, East Osceola, Osceola
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We started our day early on the Hancock Notch Trail. The weather conditions couldn’t have been better; almost completely clear sky, a very light breeze, and mild temperature. Usually, the only decision to make in hiking the Hancocks is which direction to hike the Hancock Loop Trail – clockwise or counterclockwise. On this hike we decided to skip part of the trail and climb Arrow Slide to the North Hancock summit.
We made a quick trip through the early trails leading to the slide. The Hancock Notch Trail was generally clear but had a few mud pits and a couple huge blowdowns; over one and under the other. Cedar Brook Trail was muddy with the usual problem areas. We were able to get past everything with relatively clean boots. Hancock Loop Trail to the split was in great shape. All crossings were no problem at all. After leaving the Hancock Loop split we headed clockwise a short distance to the gravel pit at the base of the usual climb to North Hancock. Here, we left the trail and headed for Arrow Slide.
I’ve read and heard quite a few reports concerning Arrow Slide. From a distance it looks like a fairly tame climb with plenty of options for making the trip to the top and good footing all the way up. Well, not so fast. The slide can be broken into two sections. The lower section is an easy climb. This part of the slide is fairly narrow and generally dry. The surface is all loose rocks but the footing is pretty good. Just pick a route that looks good and go. The only worry seems to be a loose rock and lost footing. We made our way through this very rough section without any problems. Toward the top of the lower section is an area of slabs that have a steady flow of water over them. Along with the water is a general green slime leaving zero traction. There was no way to venture out onto the slabs. We favored the left side of the slide and easily made our way past the slabs and into the upper part of the slide.
As I see it, the upper part of the slide includes the section from where the slide flares out to form the arrowhead, all of the way to the top. The upper part is also loaded with wet slabs all of the way up and they’re as green as green gets; really slippery. Since we cleared the lower slabs on the left we continued up the left side of the slide. We had a course that appeared pretty good where we could head up to a point between slabs and cross to the right side of the slide. The objective was to reach the top of the slide on the right side of the arrowhead split. We climbed to a point where the area was covered with water and too slippery to continue. We were forced to turn back. Before doing that we stopped and really studied the slide for an approach that would allow us to head up the right side of the arrowhead split and on to the top.
After deciding on a route that both of us agreed would work we retreated to a point where we could head across to the right side of the slide. We needed to descend ~100 feet in elevation to our target crossing. Descending Arrow Slide is nothing I would ever attempt after just this short retreat. While working our way back down to the safe crossing area, Sue was coming down a slime-covered section and grabbed a handhold on a ledge that I had previously used. This time, the top section of rock broke loose and Sue immediately froze. I was below her and in no good position to make a quick evasive move from a falling rock. Sue indicated what had happened but remained motionless. Both of us studied her options and found a couple other handholds and safe foot placements to get through the area. She was able to get off the small ledge and continue her descent.
Once we made it to the target crossing area we headed to the right side of the slide and continued our ascent. We basically stayed on the right side of the slide and went up. All along the way the slabs were wet and green and no place to safely go. There were a couple places that appeared safe for a crossing from one side of the slide to the other but since we wanted to reach the top right tip of the arrowhead we simply climbed. Eventually, we got above the main slabs and were in the right split of the arrowhead. Toward the top of the right split there is a small split with the left side going much higher than the right. This left option also has wet slabs to avoid. We worked our way to the point of the split and continued to favor the right side all of the way to the top. That was easy! Actually, with only one bad route-finding decision that caused the early retreat I think it went fairly well.
From the slide to the trail was the next part of this mystery; there are no signs to lead the way. A small drainage enters the top of the right split at the top center. From the top of the slide the growth looks terrible. After a closer look it appeared the thick growth was only about thirty to forty yards in depth. After this short distance the trees got much larger and I assumed things opened up. We started up the drainage. Not bad! The growth was thick but in the small drainage the growth was also short making for very good visibility. The area had quite a few blowdowns but with good visibility it was easy to decide a good route through. The last ten to fifteen feet were really thick and we needed to simply push through. From there, we had an open softwood forest to work with. We continued up slightly favoring the right to stay out of the huge blowdown field near the top of North Hancock and were soon standing on the trail. We made a left turn and in roughly fifty yards were standing on the summit. That was an interesting and fun ascent of North Hancock.
Nobody was at the summit and we decided to go to the viewpoint. One person was there reading a book and relaxing, but there was no flag. We visited for a short time and soon took off for South Hancock via the ridge link on the Hancock Loop. All of the usual mud pits were there and the two big ones were much larger than usual. Along the way we met the North Hancock Flag Team headed there to erect the flag. We also met a few others on a counterclockwise hike of the Hancocks. When we reached South Hancock we found the flag flying above the treetops and the flag team relaxing and enjoying the day. Again, a brief visit, a few summit pictures, and we were off for our exit hike and the afternoon entertainment on the Osceolas. The hike out to the trailhead was uneventful but we met quite a few others headed in. As we descended from South Hancock there are a couple places where views to Arrow Slide can be enjoyed. From here we were also able to observe the flag flying over the treetops on North Hancock. Nice! While we hiked the lower trails we also had some food to save time between trailheads and hikes.
We hit the trailhead, tossed our things into the back of the truck, and took off for the Greeley Ponds Trailhead. As we approach the trailhead there were vehicles parked along the road and I knew we would need an alternate place to park. A short distance past the trailhead is a place where I have previously parked which is well off the road and leaves the truck pointed in the right direction for our getaway after the hike. We pulled in, grabbed our things, and took off for the Osceolas.
Our round trip hike of the Osceolas was the usual route from the Kancamagus Highway; Greeley Ponds Trail to Mount Osceola Trail, and an out-and-back over East Osceola to Osceola. The trails were all clear with little mud. The few pits we came to were easy to pass with a couple having short bushwhack bypasses established. The large number of vehicles in and near the trailhead lot meant there were lots of people in the area and we met quite a few of them. Evidently, a number of times Sue was asked if we thought we were going to be out by sunset. I didn’t hear the questions or the answers but we weren’t, and it didn’t matter. We often finish after dark and this day was going to finish after dark.
By the time we reached East Osceola the flag was gone, but we already knew that since we met the flag team on their exit hike. We paused only long enough to get a couple summit pictures and continued on to Osceola main peak. Along the way we came to the chimney and climbed it, of course – instead of using the bypass. It’s a short run between the peaks and we were soon standing on the open summit of Osceola enjoying terrific late afternoon views to the surrounding areas. After a while it was time to go. We were already too late to beat darkness on our exit hike. Roughly half of the exit hike was with headlights, including the steep descent from East Osceola. We managed to make it through to the trailhead with no real problems along the way.
We loaded our things into the truck, made a quick stop at Lincoln Woods to use the facilities and change into our comfortable footwear and dry clothes, and were soon on the highway south. From end-to-end we had a perfect day in the mountains and had the bonus of seeing a couple flags that were part of the FOT48 Day.
Thanks Sue. I’m really looking forward to our next one.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Two Hikes…
Hancocks: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, Arrow Slide
Osceolas: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mount Osceola Trail
Summits: North Hancock, South Hancock, East Osceola, Osceola
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We started our day early on the Hancock Notch Trail. The weather conditions couldn’t have been better; almost completely clear sky, a very light breeze, and mild temperature. Usually, the only decision to make in hiking the Hancocks is which direction to hike the Hancock Loop Trail – clockwise or counterclockwise. On this hike we decided to skip part of the trail and climb Arrow Slide to the North Hancock summit.
We made a quick trip through the early trails leading to the slide. The Hancock Notch Trail was generally clear but had a few mud pits and a couple huge blowdowns; over one and under the other. Cedar Brook Trail was muddy with the usual problem areas. We were able to get past everything with relatively clean boots. Hancock Loop Trail to the split was in great shape. All crossings were no problem at all. After leaving the Hancock Loop split we headed clockwise a short distance to the gravel pit at the base of the usual climb to North Hancock. Here, we left the trail and headed for Arrow Slide.
I’ve read and heard quite a few reports concerning Arrow Slide. From a distance it looks like a fairly tame climb with plenty of options for making the trip to the top and good footing all the way up. Well, not so fast. The slide can be broken into two sections. The lower section is an easy climb. This part of the slide is fairly narrow and generally dry. The surface is all loose rocks but the footing is pretty good. Just pick a route that looks good and go. The only worry seems to be a loose rock and lost footing. We made our way through this very rough section without any problems. Toward the top of the lower section is an area of slabs that have a steady flow of water over them. Along with the water is a general green slime leaving zero traction. There was no way to venture out onto the slabs. We favored the left side of the slide and easily made our way past the slabs and into the upper part of the slide.
As I see it, the upper part of the slide includes the section from where the slide flares out to form the arrowhead, all of the way to the top. The upper part is also loaded with wet slabs all of the way up and they’re as green as green gets; really slippery. Since we cleared the lower slabs on the left we continued up the left side of the slide. We had a course that appeared pretty good where we could head up to a point between slabs and cross to the right side of the slide. The objective was to reach the top of the slide on the right side of the arrowhead split. We climbed to a point where the area was covered with water and too slippery to continue. We were forced to turn back. Before doing that we stopped and really studied the slide for an approach that would allow us to head up the right side of the arrowhead split and on to the top.
After deciding on a route that both of us agreed would work we retreated to a point where we could head across to the right side of the slide. We needed to descend ~100 feet in elevation to our target crossing. Descending Arrow Slide is nothing I would ever attempt after just this short retreat. While working our way back down to the safe crossing area, Sue was coming down a slime-covered section and grabbed a handhold on a ledge that I had previously used. This time, the top section of rock broke loose and Sue immediately froze. I was below her and in no good position to make a quick evasive move from a falling rock. Sue indicated what had happened but remained motionless. Both of us studied her options and found a couple other handholds and safe foot placements to get through the area. She was able to get off the small ledge and continue her descent.
Once we made it to the target crossing area we headed to the right side of the slide and continued our ascent. We basically stayed on the right side of the slide and went up. All along the way the slabs were wet and green and no place to safely go. There were a couple places that appeared safe for a crossing from one side of the slide to the other but since we wanted to reach the top right tip of the arrowhead we simply climbed. Eventually, we got above the main slabs and were in the right split of the arrowhead. Toward the top of the right split there is a small split with the left side going much higher than the right. This left option also has wet slabs to avoid. We worked our way to the point of the split and continued to favor the right side all of the way to the top. That was easy! Actually, with only one bad route-finding decision that caused the early retreat I think it went fairly well.
From the slide to the trail was the next part of this mystery; there are no signs to lead the way. A small drainage enters the top of the right split at the top center. From the top of the slide the growth looks terrible. After a closer look it appeared the thick growth was only about thirty to forty yards in depth. After this short distance the trees got much larger and I assumed things opened up. We started up the drainage. Not bad! The growth was thick but in the small drainage the growth was also short making for very good visibility. The area had quite a few blowdowns but with good visibility it was easy to decide a good route through. The last ten to fifteen feet were really thick and we needed to simply push through. From there, we had an open softwood forest to work with. We continued up slightly favoring the right to stay out of the huge blowdown field near the top of North Hancock and were soon standing on the trail. We made a left turn and in roughly fifty yards were standing on the summit. That was an interesting and fun ascent of North Hancock.
Nobody was at the summit and we decided to go to the viewpoint. One person was there reading a book and relaxing, but there was no flag. We visited for a short time and soon took off for South Hancock via the ridge link on the Hancock Loop. All of the usual mud pits were there and the two big ones were much larger than usual. Along the way we met the North Hancock Flag Team headed there to erect the flag. We also met a few others on a counterclockwise hike of the Hancocks. When we reached South Hancock we found the flag flying above the treetops and the flag team relaxing and enjoying the day. Again, a brief visit, a few summit pictures, and we were off for our exit hike and the afternoon entertainment on the Osceolas. The hike out to the trailhead was uneventful but we met quite a few others headed in. As we descended from South Hancock there are a couple places where views to Arrow Slide can be enjoyed. From here we were also able to observe the flag flying over the treetops on North Hancock. Nice! While we hiked the lower trails we also had some food to save time between trailheads and hikes.
We hit the trailhead, tossed our things into the back of the truck, and took off for the Greeley Ponds Trailhead. As we approach the trailhead there were vehicles parked along the road and I knew we would need an alternate place to park. A short distance past the trailhead is a place where I have previously parked which is well off the road and leaves the truck pointed in the right direction for our getaway after the hike. We pulled in, grabbed our things, and took off for the Osceolas.
Our round trip hike of the Osceolas was the usual route from the Kancamagus Highway; Greeley Ponds Trail to Mount Osceola Trail, and an out-and-back over East Osceola to Osceola. The trails were all clear with little mud. The few pits we came to were easy to pass with a couple having short bushwhack bypasses established. The large number of vehicles in and near the trailhead lot meant there were lots of people in the area and we met quite a few of them. Evidently, a number of times Sue was asked if we thought we were going to be out by sunset. I didn’t hear the questions or the answers but we weren’t, and it didn’t matter. We often finish after dark and this day was going to finish after dark.
By the time we reached East Osceola the flag was gone, but we already knew that since we met the flag team on their exit hike. We paused only long enough to get a couple summit pictures and continued on to Osceola main peak. Along the way we came to the chimney and climbed it, of course – instead of using the bypass. It’s a short run between the peaks and we were soon standing on the open summit of Osceola enjoying terrific late afternoon views to the surrounding areas. After a while it was time to go. We were already too late to beat darkness on our exit hike. Roughly half of the exit hike was with headlights, including the steep descent from East Osceola. We managed to make it through to the trailhead with no real problems along the way.
We loaded our things into the truck, made a quick stop at Lincoln Woods to use the facilities and change into our comfortable footwear and dry clothes, and were soon on the highway south. From end-to-end we had a perfect day in the mountains and had the bonus of seeing a couple flags that were part of the FOT48 Day.
Thanks Sue. I’m really looking forward to our next one.
Pictures will follow.
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