| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Bald Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Bald Peak Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 24, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot not recently plowed but snow was fairly compacted from lots of cars today, no issues with AWD |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No major issues today - the three more sizable crossings approaching the flume were all mostly bridged, hopefully temps stay cold enough this week where it stays that way |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few leaners just south of North Kinsman summit that will become an issue with 2-3 more feet of snow and one walk around about one tenth of a mile from South Kinsman summit, otherwise no major issues |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Hannah had a great day, no specific problems for winter hardy canines - saw three other dogs all having a good time |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One black glove and one orange traction device hanging from the trail sign at the trailhead, both were there in the morning and the afternoon so probably have been there for at least a few days |
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 | Comments: |
Probably 6-8" well packed snow in the lot so started in spikes, switched to snowshoes just after the hard right turn by the WMNF boundary, snow started to become less consolidated here and televators were helpful on the never ending uphill - stayed in snowshoes until back at the car, probably could have switched back to spikes near the same spot but was too lazy to stop on the way down. Trail was still a bit bony in places below the junction with Bald Peak spur but nothing that can't be easily negotiated with snowshoes - Bald Peak spur had similar conditions to Mt. Kinsman trail, broken out but not consolidated. Increasing snow depths up to the ridge as the trail became less consolidated - more loose snow, postholing, light drifting in places and snow falling from the trees all contributed to 10-12" nearing the junction, snowshoes made easy work but saw some people in spikes struggling and sliding a lot. As expected Kinsman Ridge trail had seen more traffic up from Fishing Jimmy so the trail was more tracked but still not completely consolidated in places, mostly where the sun softened the snow and where there was drifting in the woods - steeps are filling in nicely with not much ice today, probably 2-3' of snow at the most. Uneventful trip to South Kinsman and back, tried to smooth out the Mt. Kinsman trail as much as possible on the way down. Saw about 20 people today but unfortunately most were in spikes and chopping up the trail (shoutout to the friendly couple from NY wearing snowshoes, thank you!) - just because a trail is broken out doesn't mean it's consolidated and until it is, bare boots or spikes just makes it very uneven and unsafe for fellow hikers - with the mixed precip and snow in the forecast over the next several days, if you hike these peaks soon please wear snowshoes!! - and zero points given for bringing them but keeping them on your pack the entire hike. That being said it was a gorgeous day, beautiful scenery everywhere resembling January more than November, decent temps and minimal wind - thanks Hannah for another great day. |
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 | Name: |
Hikes with Hannah |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-11-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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