| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lonesome Lake Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 27, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Main parking lot at start of Lonesome Lake Trail is _not_ plowed out, and will likely not be for remainder of winter. Park along the access road off the parkway, and in the small lot that leads to the tunnel under it. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Lonesome Lake was crossable, and we did on the way out; but note with warmer weather starting this day and for a few days after (including possibility of rain?) this may not be advisable! No other stream or related water crossing issues. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few small trees down or leaning over the trail, but relatively easy to work around. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A couple things hung on trees on the way up, including a single "cleat" traction device. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Absolutely perfect day for a hike to elevation. Temps started in low single digits at the TH, but quickly increased as we grew in elevation, to the point where even above 4K feet we saw 30 degrees plus. Bright sun, blue skies, and quiet. This is what winter hiking is all about.
Lonesome Lake trail was a packed powder superhighway, no surprise, with next to no ice to speak of -- bareboot with traction is fine there. Fishin' Jimmy was less broken out, quite soft but not deep enough to be a real problem for barebooters. I wore showshoes up and down on this section and the Ridge trail to help formalize the breaking. Of the 15-20 people we saw, only a few wore snowshoes, but the trail was in quite good shape by the time we came back down.
Kinsman Ridge Trail from the shelter junction, heading toward the Cannonballs, isn't broken out at all (no surprise). Hi-Cannon and the Dodge Cutoff trails were broken out well enough, and I'm sure Lonesome Lake up toward Cannon and NE Cannonball was as well (we didn't head over there).
Enjoy the winter ahead! |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Bertrand |
|
 | E-Mail: |
erik@bertpc.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-12-28 |
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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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