| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman Mountain (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, March 6, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Entryway and parking lot mostly hard ice. Not a bad idea to put spikes on before stepping out of the car. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bailed at the 3rd crossing. Runoff was high from the warm temps and fog/clouds breaking down the snow. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Mmmmmm...can't remember (sorry!)? |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
All ice/snow bridges were gone, slush damming, was difficult to find ways across. Assuming water levels were rising, I made the easy decision to turn around around 1pm.
Not the right day for this hike due to water hazards. Original plan was an out/back to N/S Kinsman on Mt Kinsman Tr. The ice started from the parking lot and microspikes went on right away. First section to the sugar shack was mostly ice monoral atop bare ground, with very little snow left in the woods at low elevation. Climbing, the snowpack starts and is consistent but remained soft. The drainages were all running high with melt water. I navigated the first two crossings by taking wide workarounds using existing tracks from another hiker ahead of me. At the 3rd crossing, it was too wide, too sketchy, and the attempted workarounds unsuccessful. After a few minutes, I made the easy decision to bail on the hike.
With temps dropping again over the coming days, the flow should subside eventually, and hopefully with new snow perhaps ice bridges will return. But next few days, plan on being prepared to wade if necessary or turn around. Bring trash bags for ad hoc waders.
Action video of the crossings in my IG story below. |
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 | Name: |
Eric H |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.instagram.com/s tories/ehansen42/3582596193968410600 |
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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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