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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Northeast Cannonball, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Lonesome Lake Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 21, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: About 10 cars in lot off Rt 116 at our late start around 10AM. Got picked up at Lafayette camp ground parking at 5:30; plenty of spots (but I heard that parking was pretty much full at 8AM). 2 others at MKT parking off 116 at 7PM when we got around to getting my car. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All rock hops 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Overall trails were in great shape. Looks like some recent work/clearing downed trees on the Mt Kinsman Trail (approaching KRT), thanks much. Several blow downs on KRT that were easy to get around. The bog bridges / logs on the KRT over the Cannonballs have seen better days, and several were submerged/broken, but most functioned quite well and my feet stayed dry. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Cooper had loved this hike. Saw several doggos on the trails around the Kinsman summits (none on the KRT over the Cannonballs); including one youngster bagging her first 2 4000 footer peaks, congrats on starting. Overall, there is tons of flowing water on all these trails, plenty to quench the thirst of companion hiker pups (hence one reason we chose this hike for this very hot day). MKT, KRT, & LLT up to the summits are good for dogs, even the KRT over the Cannonballs only has a few slightly steeper sections that most pups would not have any problems hiking through. See note below on patches of snow for cooling off.... 
Bugs
Bugs: Lots out but none biting, yet 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: N/A 
 
Comments
Comments: Very unseasonably hot day on the trails, with only the occasional breeze and hazy views on the summits. All trails pretty much the same: Lots of water, both flowing and stagnant; lots of wet rocks and leaves; lots of mud and in some places on the KRT over the Cannonballs, there were 10-20 foot sections could not be avoided (found best approach was to straddle); multiple patches of ice (all that is left of the monorails) on the KRT that could be easily avoided. And much to Coopers delight, there were several patches of snow about a foot deep for rolling and cooling off in spaced along the KRT over the Cannonballs (wonder how long they will linger...). I usually hike these trails in winter, which is considerable faster since one can avoid the ups and downs, loose slippery rocks / gravel, and water...  
Name
Name: CookiesOnTop 
E-Mail
E-Mail: schwarzmc at yahoo dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-05-21 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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