| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Bald Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Bald Peak Spur, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 27, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
One other truck in the lot when I arrived (with an unattended smoldering fire in the middle of the lot around a bunch of trash). I put it out before I started hiking - do better people!!! About 1/2 dozen vehicles when I returned. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All stream/brook crossings were low and easily rock-hoppable. My boots stayed dry. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails were in great shape, thanks to the awesome maintenance crews!! There is one large walkover on the Mt Kinsman Trail about halfway between the Bald Peak Spur and the junction with the KRT, but that's about it. Lots of leaves down at the lower elevations, and a fair amount of ice and graupel higher up - watch your footing!! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one happy pup in the zone totally zeroed in on making the summit. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Awesome day out on the Kinsmans! Definitely cold, but the views were amazing.
The flume was a cool side trip on the way up that was definitely worth the short detour to check out. Caught the sun peeking out over the KRT and shining on the valleys to the W/SW from Bald Peak. The small mud spots on the way up to the KRT were partially frozen over, so they weren't a problem. They were kind of rubbery - sort of the consistency of the ground covering/matting they put around kids playgrounds so you could walk right over them. Saw a nice sized bear dookie about 100 yards-ish up the KRT from the Mt Kinsman Trail junction. Took a picture for posterity.
Went out to the ledge at North Kinsman, then made my way down to the lower ledge for an awesome view of Kinsman Pond, Lonesome Lake, Canon Mtn, and the whole snow-capped Franconia Ridge. I was awestruck it was so beautiful. Heading up to South Kinsman there was a straight stretch of trail with the sun shining in at an angle, and when the wind gusted it blew ice over the trail so it looked kind of like snow, but when the sunlight hit it just right it shimmered and reflected light like thousands of crystals floating through the air. Wow - just... wow. Over on South Kinsman the views were equally awesome, but it was pretty cold and windy. I took the obligatory selfie on the Throne, ate a protein bar popsicle and hockey puck PopTarts, sipped on my electrolyte slushie, and headed back to North Kinsman.
Made my way down to Kinsman Pond to check out the campsite and shelter since I hadn't been there before. Beautiful views out over the pond and up to the North Kinsman ledges I had been on earlier. It was still kind of cold and some clouds started rolling in from the west, so I beat feet back up to the Mt Kinsman Trail and then back down to the trailhead before any precipitation started. Outstanding day overall!! |
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 | Name: |
DadOutThere |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-28 |
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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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