| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 19, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot was full early this afternoon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One duck under near the sugarhouse, otherwise no blowdowns. Various rock steps and waterbars installed by the volunteer maintainer continue to work well. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail up to the Bald Peak junction was generally dry with some minor mud, occasional random black ice, and a few flakes of snow. Barebootable to this point.
Lots of random black ice thereafter, but generally not enough to warrant traction until the higher elevations. A few stretches of blue ice that warranted traction on the descent. Needed traction for the ledgy stretch up to the Kinsman Ridge Trail.
Kinsman Ridge Trail was pretty gnarly. Quite a few stretches of blue and black ice with no easy way around. Generally snow free all the way to the summit, with a few pockets of legacy snow in the woods, and a dusting obscuring ice. Microspikes were outmatched, particularly on the descent (a fall from Microspikes losing purchase in these snow-free conditions could be bone-breaking). In hindsight, I would have brought Hillsounds, though the amount of exposed rock would have also been vexing.
Opted not to bother with the trip over to South due to the bad conditions (though it probably wouldn't have been as bad as the ascent of North). I'd put these peaks on the shelf until we get snow or a really good thaw.
Partly sunny day down low, but the ridge was in the clouds. Temperatures in the 30s down low. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/ |
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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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