| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Bald Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Bald Peak Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, July 27, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was happy to pay the $20 and thankful for the work the landowner does to support hiking in the Whites—and protect us from aggressive nesting goshawks! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No trouble anywhere. It is worth noting that at present there are no water sources above the Bald Peak Spur, so plan accordingly. The stream right before Bald Peak still has plenty of water for filtering. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nesting goshawks cause a small detour right from the trailhead as hikers are advised to take the Button Fern Trail for about a third of a mile before joining the Mt. Kinsman Trail just past the sugar shack. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see even one dog today. |
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 | Bugs: |
Some buzzing flies at higher elevations, but no biting or swatting, and no head net needed at all. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was my first time to the Kinsmans from the west. Things were great for the first two miles, but I didn't love the Mt. Kinsman Trail above Bald Peak at all—too rooty and rocky and narrow for me even by White Mountains standards. And no views (besides Bald Peak) until the junction with the KRT. However, if you want/need to get to the Kinsmans by this route, do it now when everything is dry because it's pretty clear that much of the trail is also a stream during wetter times of the year.
The KRT was the KRT: very steep in spots just below North Kinsman on both sides, relatively easy approach to South Kinsman when coming from the north. Don't be fooled by the false South Kinsman summit complete with a mini cairn! |
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 | Name: |
Teddy Ballgame |
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 | E-Mail: |
tbarkerhook@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-07-27 |
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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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