| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman , NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 7, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the mt kinsman trailhead, only trace amounts of snow and easily able to drive into |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The two crossings were bridged and easily crossed |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Two of us set out today, starting in just boots no traction needed. There was very little snow down low, some spots were even bare. There was a noticeable trench that had been formed previously but had clearly not been touched since the last snow. We were able to make it 1.3 miles from the parking lot before we opted to switch into snowshoes as we were tired of sliding without traction but felt spikes were not the best option. At 1.3 miles the snow depth varied from about 2-4 inches with some rocks sticking out. At the junction with bald peak snow depth became more consistent, for the next mile from the junction snow depth was around 4-8 inches with occasional smaller drifts. For the last .5 miles until the junction with kinsman ridge snow became a consistent 8-12 inches and 12-18 inch drifts for the last .1 miles. At the junction of kinsman ridge the trail it had been broken since the last significant snow, but needed some snowshoe love. We reached the summit of north kinsman rather easily but found that the trail to south had not been broken out in a while other than one barebooter. The hike over to south was drifted in some spots with spots of deep snow, the trail breaking was made more difficult by the deep postholes. After making it to south kinsman we turned around and followed our track back, between north and south we ran into a solo woman In snowshoes, the third person we had seen all day. With the two of us in snowshoes and the woman in snowshoes the trail had became well packed. Upon returning to the summit of north kinsman we reconnected with the father and son we had run into early in the morning, they were also in snowshoes. With both of us and the other 3 in snowshoes the trail had become well packed. The descent was quick and easy and we opted to continue in snowshoes until 1.3 miles from the trailhead. The trail is in good shape and is good for the taking before the next storm. Snowshoes are still the best option for traction for the foreseeable future. It looked as though the trail from fishin jimmy had not been broken out since the last storm other than one or two barebooters , if you’re in need of the kinsmans, mt kinsman trail is the way to go right now. |
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 | Name: |
Georgesomerset |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-07 |
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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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