| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Wolf, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, July 9, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing significant. Eliza Brook has plentiful water and plentiful stepping stones. Everything else is a minor drainage. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is in good shape overall. Dilley Trail is very rough for its 3/10 of a mile, but there's a commanding view of Kinsman Notch at the far end. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One blue tank top left at the Beaver Brook trailhead. |
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 | Comments: |
Hooray for social distancing. I shared the mountain with four other souls, Snowflea and Fancy Pants among them -- and it was absolutely lovely to finally meet them. I crossed paths with a NOBO AT hiker who is completely unfazed that his hike may not count in the eyes of the ATC. And probably passed another NOBO AT hiker, although we didn't stop to chat. After around late-morning, the trail was mine. Nice.
If you're not familiar, the trail is quite difficult, perhaps even more so than you might sense from the gloom and doom in the AMC book. I thought 7-8 hours should do it, and it ended up taking about ten. In fairness, however, I did hike all the way out to Eliza Brook (and it's ice cold, delicious water) before turning back. Until you hit Reel Brook, the trail is rocky and rooty, with a lot of elevation change all over the place. Entirely in line with the character of ascending South Kinsman from the south, or Cannon from... anywhere. You'll work for your miles.
Not many wildflowers to speak of; some bunchberry, some bluebead lilies that have yet to bloom. However, there were a lot of white banded black butterflies just about everywhere. No kidding, it was crazy how many were out there. And although I was completely alone for most of the day in terms of humans, the forest was echoing in bird song. Also nice. A yellow rumped warbler held still enough for a photo, and I, and Snowflea and Fancy Pants noted some dark eyed juncos on different occasions.
Photos and a more detailed write-up on my blog, as always. |
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 | Name: |
Protean Wanderer |
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 | E-Mail: |
hiker@proteanwanderer.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-07-11 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2020/07/10/trip-report-a-hard-fought-hike-across-mt-wolf-to-eliza-brook/ |
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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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