2025 CROP Hunger Walk: Hancock Notch Traverse

On Thursday, October 16th four of us enjoyed a cool, partly sunny fall day for the 36th annual White Mountain Crop Hunger Walk, a "hike for hunger" that benefits the programs of Church World Service. This year's participants included Thom Davis, Candace Morrison, Gary Tompkins, and this correspondent. Our route was a 9.5 mile traverse from west to east through Hancock Notch, the wild and remote gap between Mount Hancock and Mount Huntington.

 

The Church World Service CROP program began in 1947 and the first CROP Hunger Walk was held in 1969. Each year walks in more than 500 communities raise more than $6 million for CWS hunger programs. For more information see www.cwsglobal.org.

 

Ours is the only Crop Hunger Walk that takes place on mountain trails. Since its beginning in 1989 our walk has raised more than $105,000 for the anti-hunger programs of Church World Service, with more than $26,000 of that provided to local food pantries in the western White Mountains. We owe the success of our walk to the consistent generosity of our sponsors. The CROP Hunger Walk theme is “Ending hunger, one step at a time."

To make a donation for our walk, visit https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/event/lincolnnh or mail a check made out to "Church World Service" to Steve Smith, PO Box 445, Lincoln, NH 03251. Thanks!

 

After spotting a vehicle at the Sawyer River Trail parking spot, we started from the hairpin turn on the Kancamagus Highway a little after 9:00 am.  

A little bit of late color.

Gary, Thom and Candace ready to head up the old railroad grade on Hancock Notch Trail.

Off we go!

A trailside view of the South Peak of Mt. Hitchcock rising above the North Fork of Hancock Branch.

Up to this junction at 1.8 miles, Hancock Notch Trail is heavily used as part of the route to North and South Hancock. Beyond here it is the trail less travelled.

Heading eastward towards Hancock Notch.

The broad floor of the Notch is cloaked in a somber but beautiful spruce forest.

In the heart of the notch we had a view up to the talus slopes on the steep north face of Mt. Huntington. This was the high point of our hike at 2830 ft.

Acres and acres of spruce forest on the floor of the notch.

An interesting trailside boulder.

The Hancock Notch Trail is rough and rocky as it descends eastward out of the notch.

This ledge displays some deep fractures.

 

Slow going through here.

 

There were a few muddy sections, but overall the trail was pretty dry.

 

First crossing of the Sawyer River, here still just a mountain brook.

Gary admires a tall spruce.

Second crossing of Sawyer River. Good spot for a lunch break.

Mostly easy grades and good walking from here on.

 

A beaver meadow just off-trail on the south side.

The trail descends to a washout from 2011's Tropical Storm Irene along a major southern tributary.

 

 

Gary set up his camera here for our traditional group photo. 

 

 

 

 

 

This stream, which flows out of a remote ravine on the northeastern side of Mt. Huntington, is almost as large as the Sawyer River itself.

The trail descends through several rocky and rubbly Irene washouts.

A glimpse of Mt.Carrigain's Signal Ridge.

During Irene the high water flow of the tributary carved out this impressive gravel slope.

Thom, our retired geology professor, pointed out the interesting soil stratification on this slope.

Peering down at the crossing of the Sawyer River next to its confluence with the tributary.

To make the crossing you have to drop down a steep gravel bank.

Looking back at the gravel bank. In the reverse direction a yellow blaze at the top of the bank indicates the route.

The geologist in his element.

Another crossing of the Sawyer River, which at this point has grown quite large. Not easy in high water.

Farther along we veered a short distance off trail to explore the site of Camp 2 of the Sawyer River Railroad, which logged in this valley from 1877 to 1928. This operation was noted for its relatively conservative cutting practices, contrasting with the widespread clearcutting of that era.

This wooden U.S. Forest Service storage box was placed here at a later date.

Nearby was the heavy wood-and-metal cover to the box.

Sled runners from the logging days.

Impressive shelf fungus.

Easy walking on the east end of Hancock Notch Trail.

On to the Sawyer River Trail.

For more than two miles we strolled along the gentle grade of the Sawyer River Railroad.

The trail passes through a scenic wetland area with a view of the wooded backside of Green's Cliff.

Lovely section of trail.

A tamarack brightens the trailside forest.

The eastern spur of Mt. Huntington seen above an open meander of Meadow Brook.

Crossing the Swift River.

A picturesque area of ledges and cascades. From here a short climb brought us to our spotted vehicle on the Kanc. Another CROPWalk was in the books - thank you for your support!