Summit: North Kinsman (4,293'), South Kinsman (4,358')
Trail route: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Bare ground to start then monorail to solid trail then softening trail as it got warmer with deteriorating monorail and mashed potatoes
Weather: Cool start to warm temps, sunshine and blue sky
Total miles: 10
Total time: 6:30
Beautiful weather was in the forecast and I have a lot of summits to climb in April so I thought it would be a nice day to hike the North and South Kinsmans. This would be a solo midweek hike with a MT Kinsman Trail approach from Route 116.
I was taking my time and getting a later than usual start. It was nice to finally be driving to the trailhead after daybreak. I was surprised to be the first one in the parking lot but another vehicle pulled in minutes after me.
There was no snow to be seen anywhere around the parking lot. I made the decision to bring the snowshoes after needing them this past weekend. My concern was the trail conditions between North and South Kinsmans. I was sure there would be lots of snow and did not want to be postholing.
It was a mostly dry hike up to the trail junction to Bald Peak. There was some short sections of mud but not an issue. The water crossings were also easy to cross on exposed rocks. Beyond the trail junction there were short stretches of icy monorail but very easy to walk beside and still be on the trail.
About a mile further up the trail I put on microspikes as there was consistent snow and monorail. The snow was solid and I occasionally broke through undermined monorail caused by water running underneath. Up on the Kinsman Ridge Trail the snow was softening under the sun but the microspikes still worked well.
The views were spectacular on the North Kinsman summit outlook, I had it to myself. I continued on to the South Kinsman and had to contend with some bare ledges. I kept the microspikes on since there was soft snow in between these ledges that had southern exposure.
As I approached the top of South Kinsman I removed the microspikes since the surrounding area was bare granite. This was my turn around point so I took a short break before heading back. The snow was getting softer on my return hike to North Kinsman but still no postholing. From the summit of North Kinsman it was all downhill from here.
It was a good hike back down. I removed the microspikes when the snow and monorail diminished allowing me to walk on bare ground. Passed several hikers that had been visiting Bald Peak. The temperature was very warm and pleasant as I arrived back at the parking lot. The snowshoes got a free ride today.
A Nor'easter is expected to arrive in the next couple of days bringing with it the potential of several inches of snow falling in the mountains. This will dramatically change the trail conditions for this weekend.
I was glad to be able to get out for a hike on this Spring day. I have now hiked to the Kinsmans in eleven different months and only have the month of May remaining. I hope to grid out these summits next month!
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Sun rises as I start my drive to the trailhead
The hike starts here
Easy water crossing
Flowing cascade
Another water crossing...easy
A third easy water crossing
Trail takes a left here and the Bald Peak spur trail goes right
Monorail starts here but is short-lived
The "portrait" tree is eroding
Log bridge crossing and still no snow
Next log bridge with snow on the ground at this point
Solid but narrow monorail
Burl
Into the snowpack
Just below the Kinsman Ridge Trail
Heading up the Kinsman Ridge Trail
View of Franconia Ridge from the trail
Up and over a snow covered ledge
On the North Kinsman outlook
Lafayette Lincoln and Haystack Mountains
Lonesome Lake
Franconia Ridge
Mount Lafayette
Mount Lincoln
Mount Liberty
Mount Flume
View of South Kinsman
Franconia Ridge from South Kinsman
Loon Mountain
Mount Moosilauke
Heading back to North Kinsman
Passing by the sugar shack
Burl
Back at the trailhead
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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