Cedar Brook Trail
On the way up Mount Hancock (North Peak), Mount Hancock (South Peak) · New Hampshire
Cedar Brook Trail is a trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness and the Willey Range, climbing about 1,400 ft from the East Side Trail and Wilderness Trail junction to the Hancock Notch Trail junction.
Map length
5.2 mi
Climb from the low end
1,410 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 19 min / 2 h 55 min
High point
3,110 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
910 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1 (1 ford)
Low point
1,718 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Cedar Brook Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From East Side Trail and Wilderness Trail junction (the lower end) to Hancock Notch Trail junction.
- 0.0East Side Trail and Wilderness Trail junction
- 4.6Junction with Hancock Loop Trail
- 4.7Fords a stream
- 5.2Junction with Hancock Notch Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Hancock Loop Trail junction
4.57 mi (total 4.57) · ↑1,404 ↓418 ft · 2 h 59 min / 2 h 29 min
To Hancock Notch Trail junction
0.65 mi (total 5.22) · ↑6 ↓205 ft · 20 min / 26 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Side Trail and Wilderness Trail junction | Hancock Loop Trail junction | 4.57 | 4.57 | 1,404 / 418 ft | 2 h 59 min / 2 h 29 min |
| Hancock Loop Trail junction | Hancock Notch Trail junction | 0.65 | 5.22 | 6 / 205 ft | 20 min / 26 min |
↑ walking from East Side Trail and Wilderness Trail junction; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Summit conditions
Today's conditions reportRecent trip reports
3 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 3. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Thu, Oct 1MudDry
Water crossings: Easy rock hops
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 30MudWetDry
Water crossings: All rock hops
Full report on NETC - Fri, Sep 11MudDry
Water crossings: All easy rock hops even for those of us with short legs.
Full report on NETC - Fri, Aug 21MudDry
Water crossings: All easy to rock hop.
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
64 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 64 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
30°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 30°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.