Kinsman Mtn. North, Kinsman Mtn. South, NH, 09/25/07

[threecy]

Kinsman Mountain (North Peak), Kinsman Mountain (South Peak), NH

Date Hiked: 09/25/07

Trails(s) Hiked: Lonesome Lake Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions: Sunny, somewhat hazy

With some time off from work and temperatures forecasted to enter into the 80s, I decided an earlier morning hike would be a good idea. Since it was midweek, it seemed logical to do the Kinsmans - thus avoiding them on a busy weekend.

Starting just before 7 AM, I think I was the first person to ascend - I would not see anyone until after leaving South Kinsman. The sun was just starting to hit Lonesome Lake when I arrived there - making for a really nice, peaceful scene. Up until this point, the trail is moderately steep with decent footing.

I then picked up the Fishin' Jimmy Trail on the hut side of the lake, continuing on it as it dips into a valley before doing two steep ascents up to the Kinsman Pond area - some parts of the steeps actually had wooden steps embedded in the ledge like the Beaver Brook Trail.

Now on the Kinsman Ridge Trail, things became progressively steeper as the North Kinsman summit neared - nothing too bad, but a minor scramble or two.

Arriving at the summit, I quickly descended to the first view ledge, and then down to the more scenic lower ledge - excellent views of Cannon Mountain, Lonesome Lake, Kinsman Pond, and the Franconia Ridge.

Next up was South Kinsman - it's a steep initial descent, followed by some flats and a slightly more gradual ascent to a false summit, then a dip before the south summit cairn.

Though the growth at the summit is stunted, the views at the cairn are obstructed a bit (one can see the upper portions of the surrounding ridges). As a result, I decided to continue down the Kinsman Ridge Trail a bit to a really nice view ledge - excellent views of Moosilauke and points south and into Vermont.

After snapping a few shots and checking out other potential but lesser view points, I headed back to North Kinsman for an early lunch and a work call. Talk about telecommuting!

In contrast to the quiet ascent, the descent was gradually busier - a few folks were hanging around the nearly complete Kinsman Shelter, a few more on the Fishin' Jimmy Trail, and yet some more ascending the Lonesome Lake Trail.

All in all a nice day - between rain and obligations, it might be awhile before I hit the trails again, so it was good to get out for a few hours during the work week.



Trip report/map/photos:
http://www.franklinsites.com/hikepho...-2007-0925.php

[Skier75]

Nice report. I remember doing that trip last year, we stayed at the shelter overnight. I think it was early November when we did it and it was cold, the next morning when we got up!

I don't care too much about those kind of steps in the rocks, glad that they are there. Going up them isn't too bad, it's the coming down part, I don't like. I believe our dog slipped on those, can't remember if it was going up or coming down. Coming down those, I do the going backwards thing, like coming down off a ladder......

Maybe we'll be seeing you again sometime out there. We just did Waumbek yesterday. Next week we're thinking about either Isolation or Owls Head....not sure yet.

[threecy]

Ya, I could see where doing those steps if they were wet or icy wouldn't be too much fun - especially the ones that go side to side vs. the traditional up and down.

Isolation or Owls Head...sounds like you're gluttons for punishment? I've been saving those for later when I feel like I want to spend 7+ miles to get to a peak.

[Skier75]

Originally Posted by threecy

Ya, I could see where doing those steps if they were wet or icy wouldn't be too much fun - especially the ones that go side to side vs. the traditional up and down.

Isolation or Owls Head...sounds like you're gluttons for punishment? I've been saving those for later when I feel like I want to spend 7+ miles to get to a peak.

Well....it's like this, since we've been out there the past few weeks, we feel this will be a good time for us to get some "tough ones out of the way". And doing them as overnighters will be easier on both myself and the dog. On top of that I only have two weeks left, then I will be out of commision for at least a week, possibly more, due to some minor surgery I'm going to have done in the middle of the month. So, I guess I'm going to push it to the limit, for me anyways, for the next few weeks. Well that's the plan anyways, we'll see what really happens.

[threecy]

Good luck!