| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Bald Peak, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Bald Peak Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot is a sheet of ice (we did a quick fishtail pulling out, for good measure) -- but at least it is otherwise clear of any snow berms and frozen wheel ruts. Room for about a dozen carefully parked vehicles, perhaps. Three other cars in the lot when we showed up after 10:00 am; we were the last to leave late afternoon. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Something More Than Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Not an issue |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Most of the blowdowns mentioned in the conditions report from a few days ago have all been REMOVED -- thank you very much to whomever did this. The couple of remaining blowdowns have been delimbed/cleaned and are easy stepover or duckunders. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Except for the deep and numerous frozen postholes on the final mile of Mt. Kinsman Trail (the steeps) approaching the Kinsman Ridge Trail intersection, winter trail conditions were some of the best, fastest-moving we've encountered on these trails in years.
The trail is thin plate ice down low in mostly bare woods, then transitions to packed frozen granular with a couple of melted out spots, then to packed frozen granular with the aforementioned postholes, before hitting the ridge where it's packed granular (and some blue ice) all the way to South Kinsman. Between the two peaks, snow levels are low enough that one can actually walk upright without getting face-slapped by branches -- what a nice surprise.
Snowshoes rode on the pack (hey, we brought 'em!) -- there's no need for them right now, unless you head off trail, especially with the uneven surface from postholes. However, something more than light traction is recommended for a dozen or so short sections of thick blue ice on steep ledges on the upper sections of the trails. One of us used trail crampons; another, trail crampons pro -- they were helpful.
The snow is almost completely gone from the trees up top, and replaced with rime ice; very pretty.
Spur trail to Bald Peak is pretty chopped up with postholes for about a third of the distance; otherwise, it's packed snow and ice. The view ledges of Bald Peak are mostly clear of snow/ice. |
|
 | Name: |
Pancks and Tesco Heaney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-14 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
