Outdoor Diversion: Sunday Morning on the Kinsmans

Summits: North Kinsman (4,293'), South Kinsman (4,358')
Trail route: Mt Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Wet trail from recent rain, muddy areas and some dry sections
Weather: Cool to warm temps, clear blue sky with lots of sunshine
Total miles: 10
Total time: 05:59:42

After three days of stifling heat and humidity the weather changed overnight. A front came through with downpours and wind bringing cooler temps and drier air. I have a very low tolerance for hot, humid temps so it was worth the wait. I needed North and South Kinsmans for July so this would be a good day for those summits.

I got an early start and was on the road heading for the trailhead before sunrise. The sky was just beginning to brighten up and I was going slow and keeping an eye out for moose. Sure enough just where I had seen moose beside the road in the past one ran out in front of me. I had enough time to break and he never slowed down as he ran across the road. That was the one and only close call. For the rest of the drive I enjoyed the changing colors in the sky as the sun rose.

I was the first one to arrive at the parking lot. I got out of my car expecting a barrage of biting insects but there were none. I was soon on the trail. About a half mile in there is a sugar shack beside the trail. It's usually locked up but this morning the door was wide open, I thought there might be a bear inside so I kept going. Just beyond the sugar shack I heard some shuffling through the woods on a small ridge to my left. I looked up to find a bear watching me. I have come up on a bear before during a hike and I have to admit that it is a little unnerving each time. I made some noise by tapping my trekking poles and talking. The bear went his way and I went my way.

I passed by the spur path that goes to Bald Peak and would not be going there today. I continued up the Mt. Kinsman Trail to the Kinsman Ridge Trail. There was some great views at the trail junction. I met hikers along the way to North Kinsman. When I arrived at the summit I had it to myself. The views to Franconia Ridge were spectacular from the outlook. I took a break as it was a nice morning for basking. I soon heard some other hikers approaching and I continued my hike across the ridge to South Kinsman.

It was a great hike over to the summit of South Kinsman. Once again I had a summit to myself. This was my turn around point. After some photos and a snack I started my hike back to the parking lot five miles away. It wasn't long before I started seeing many hikers. Back on North Kinsman I stopped briefly, then it was all downhill from here.

It was a non-stop hike back down the Kinsman Ridge Trail and down the Mt. Kinsman Trail. I had never been down to the Flume so I took the path alongside a brook that turned into a very deep chasm. I was actually surprised how deep it was. A quick look down into the flume while I held onto a tree and it was back up to the main trail.

I was trying to do a sub 6-hour round trip hike today. I returned to the parking lot in 5:59, so that was a sub 6-hour hike! It was an enjoyable hike with excellent conditions, even the biting insects were tolerable. A great day to be up in the mountains!

Enjoy the photos and videos!