| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Reel Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, November 5, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Reel Brook Trail parking lot is pretty washed out and I’d advise anyone with a low clearance car to avoid it. There is a small lot on the right as you get close that looked like a better option. I have an SUV and had no trouble but a few of the cars scraped bottom. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There are many crossings on this route and despite the fact that the area was inundated with rain the day before we were able to find a way to cross each and every one of them without (intentionally) putting a foot (or feet) in the water. The most challenging are the first two near the top of the Reel Brook Trail - the area got rearranged by the Halloween storm last year. Coming down to it there’s a split - logging road up to right and crossing down to left. Cross, take a right, travel a little bit, recross to the right. You might be able to use the logging road and avoid the double crossing but didn’t have to check it out since able to cross fairly easily. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Saw Bruce in the Mount Kinsman Trail doing his thing and saw the remains of what Jeff did earlier in the day on the Reel Brook Trail. There are some easy step over blowdowns year and there but nothing serious. The only “challange†was a cluster of ten or so trees that are leaning and blocking the obvious trail along the Kinsman Ridge Trail - between the power lines and the Reel Brook Trail junction. The trail goes to the right under them. Can crawl under now but if there in winter could make it interesting. See the link below for pictures. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn’t see any but the crossings and the steep ice could be tricky. |
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 | Bugs: |
Gone south for the winter. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Did this one with Monica and the Random Group of Hikers. It was supposed to be a partly sunny then sunny day but we pretty much got the mostly cloudy all day. The trails down low are a muddy mess right now - do what you can to stay on the trail and expect to have wet boots and muddy pants. We put our spikes on as we made the final push up the steep section of the Mount Kinsman Trail just before the junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail. Kept them on until Somewhere near the Reel Brook Trail. The steep sections coming down from South Kinsman weren’t difficult if you took your time and watched your step. There’s a section about half way down the Reel Brook Trail where you are on a logging road but the trail departs to the right. There is no sign but a few blue blazes. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it or if you’re in the dark. |
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 | Name: |
Michael and Monica |
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 | E-Mail: |
michaelfblair@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-11-07 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.meetup.com/rndmhkrs/events/255989460/ |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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