Summit: Cannon Mountain (4,100')
Trail route: Kinsman Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Dry trail with a few minor wet and muddy sections
Weather: Warm with some humidity, sun shining through high thin clouds
Total miles: 4.2 depending on what sign or map you're looking at
Total time: 3:30
I saw one more day of good weather in the forecast before showers, heat and humidity return. My plan was to hike up Cannon Mountain and grid out that summit meaning I will have hiked it in every month of the year.
I took my time leaving the house and got a later than usual start. When I arrived at the Cannon tram parking lot there was a convoluted parking arrangement with large concrete barriers allowing one way in and one way out. I parked where I usually have in the past and that's back by the trailhead.
It was a warm start to the hike. I was surprised at how much the lower part of the trail has eroded since the last time I was there. The loose gravel slowed me down a bit. I also found it to be very warm and muggy so I was taking my time and rehydrating frequently.
As I made my way further up the trail it started to cool off just a little and it felt tolerable. I stopped at the outlook for a pic before continuing on to the summit. There were lots of tourists on the Rim Trail just below the summit that had come up on the tram. I had forgotten about that since in the past I had hiked up here when there were no tourists.
Up on the observation tower I was met with a cloud of flying insects, looked like winged ants. Not sure what that was all about but I moved to an area on the platform where there were no insects. I took a few photos and then started back down, lots of people were on their way up.
I followed the Rim Trail around and immediately went down the Kinsman Ridge Trail without stopping leaving the tourists behind. It was a pleasant hike down and I met many hikers coming up. Back down at the parking lot it was very warm.
I have now hiked Cannon Mountain in every month of the year and in a variety of weather and trail conditions. There have been some very tough hikes to this summit with one extremely challenging hike that had me almost turn around twice. I have one more hike this month that will grid out two more summits, Liberty and Flume. That hike will also grid out the month of August.
Enjoy the photos and video!
My destination is up ahead
A new sign at the trailhead indicating a sign of the times
The welcoming burl at the beginning of the trail
Hobblebush leaves changing color
Some serious trail erosion
Red tram coming up
Echo Lake
Yellow tram
Bunchberry
A view from the outlook
Franconia Notch
Summit observation tower is in sight
Hazy view
Double ring around the sun
Two signs and two different mileages to the parking lot
Summit tram building
A patch of wood asters
Franconia Ridge
Kinsmans
Mittersill ski area below
Top of the mountain ski area at Cannon
Hiker on the summit of Mount Lincoln
Mount Liberty
On the Rim Trail
Heading down
A look back at the summit tower
Crossing the ski glade
Ledge scramble
A farewell burl
Back at the trailhead
View From the Cannon Mountain Summit Observation Tower
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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