MtnMagic
New member
Date Hiked:
February 22, 2006
Trails Hiked:
Lomesome Lake, Cascade Brook, Fishin' Jimmy, Kinsman Ridge
Total Distance:
Round trip 10.0 miles, 3,550 feet of elevation gain, 7 hours with 4 stops for views and a chat with hutmaster Heidi twice.
Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate, depending on how fit one is and the weight of their pack.
Conditions:
Hard packed snow, lots and lots of ice, gentle wind above treeline. All water crossings were very easy and well frozen on this day. Crampons are essential, full winter gear needed, trekking poles optional.
Special Required Equipment:
Full winter gear always! Snowshoes were not needed, crampons are most definitely essential. Goggles and trekking poles helpful.
Trip Report:
When I awoke this day something was just plain bugging me. My leg muscles were a little bit sore but it was my soul that was searching for something more. After thinking about it for a few minutes, I discovered what was needed. It was a good day hike. I decided the Kinsmans would sure comfort it.
Filling my water bottles and hydration pack, I grabbed a few energy bars, made a sandwich, added them to my winter pack and headed to Lafayette Campground. I usually take the Mt Kinsman Trail from Route 116, but wanted a change of scenery, so via Lonesome Lake Trail was the route this day. It was mid-morning when Ghostdog and I hit the trail, sunny with the temperature climbing quicky, and superb views of Franconia Ridge. Happiness!
Several hundred feet past the Hi-Cannon Trail I came upon a blue plastic sled filled with various backpacking gear and two sets of snowshoes tied to a root. I called out, looked down and around for the owners, but the sled was clearly abandoned with the early morning snowfall on it. How unusual to see this I thought as I donned my G-10's and continued on. Meeting the overnight guests a few at a time on the trail, I asked them if they knew anything about the sled. All replied it wasn't there when they ascended the day before.
At the hut I called out for Heidi and found her on the roof brushing the snow off the solar panels. I related my finding and she told me she would retrieve the sled and investigate. I said we'd be back around 4 o'clock, bid farewell, and hit the Fishin' Jimmy Trail. The ice formations everywhere were stunningly beautiful, the color of iron, a lot of new snow thick on the fir trees, some blowdowns off trail to view the interesting root masses, and the sounds of silence filled the warm, gentle air.
I stopped at North peak to gaze at the views for a while, then headed off to South Peak. The top of the cairn was scattered a bit but easy to restack in the spring. I thought of the Nobo's that were starting out on Springer Mountain and could be here as early as May. No fresh hiker's footprints this day on these high trails, but there were plenty of rabbit, vole, and mouse tracks. I had lunch on South Peak, basked in the views, the sun, and watched a crow soar by.
We retraced our steps to return to the hut and the real world. One last time I turned around to see where we've been. The heavens treated us to the finest crepuscular ray display I have ever witnessed. Spectacular! I met Heidi on the trail and she explained what she found out. Two guests that had reservations called Pinkham Notch Visiters Center and cancelled at the last minute. Why didn't they simply pull their sled with them when they turned around? A small puzzle. Nothing like a good mystery to intrigue the soul and a sensational day to enjoy the mountains!
More of the full story on the lost gear is found on the A.M.C. site. A very good read!
February 22, 2006
Trails Hiked:
Lomesome Lake, Cascade Brook, Fishin' Jimmy, Kinsman Ridge
Total Distance:
Round trip 10.0 miles, 3,550 feet of elevation gain, 7 hours with 4 stops for views and a chat with hutmaster Heidi twice.
Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate, depending on how fit one is and the weight of their pack.
Conditions:
Hard packed snow, lots and lots of ice, gentle wind above treeline. All water crossings were very easy and well frozen on this day. Crampons are essential, full winter gear needed, trekking poles optional.
Special Required Equipment:
Full winter gear always! Snowshoes were not needed, crampons are most definitely essential. Goggles and trekking poles helpful.
Trip Report:
When I awoke this day something was just plain bugging me. My leg muscles were a little bit sore but it was my soul that was searching for something more. After thinking about it for a few minutes, I discovered what was needed. It was a good day hike. I decided the Kinsmans would sure comfort it.
Filling my water bottles and hydration pack, I grabbed a few energy bars, made a sandwich, added them to my winter pack and headed to Lafayette Campground. I usually take the Mt Kinsman Trail from Route 116, but wanted a change of scenery, so via Lonesome Lake Trail was the route this day. It was mid-morning when Ghostdog and I hit the trail, sunny with the temperature climbing quicky, and superb views of Franconia Ridge. Happiness!
Several hundred feet past the Hi-Cannon Trail I came upon a blue plastic sled filled with various backpacking gear and two sets of snowshoes tied to a root. I called out, looked down and around for the owners, but the sled was clearly abandoned with the early morning snowfall on it. How unusual to see this I thought as I donned my G-10's and continued on. Meeting the overnight guests a few at a time on the trail, I asked them if they knew anything about the sled. All replied it wasn't there when they ascended the day before.
At the hut I called out for Heidi and found her on the roof brushing the snow off the solar panels. I related my finding and she told me she would retrieve the sled and investigate. I said we'd be back around 4 o'clock, bid farewell, and hit the Fishin' Jimmy Trail. The ice formations everywhere were stunningly beautiful, the color of iron, a lot of new snow thick on the fir trees, some blowdowns off trail to view the interesting root masses, and the sounds of silence filled the warm, gentle air.
I stopped at North peak to gaze at the views for a while, then headed off to South Peak. The top of the cairn was scattered a bit but easy to restack in the spring. I thought of the Nobo's that were starting out on Springer Mountain and could be here as early as May. No fresh hiker's footprints this day on these high trails, but there were plenty of rabbit, vole, and mouse tracks. I had lunch on South Peak, basked in the views, the sun, and watched a crow soar by.
We retraced our steps to return to the hut and the real world. One last time I turned around to see where we've been. The heavens treated us to the finest crepuscular ray display I have ever witnessed. Spectacular! I met Heidi on the trail and she explained what she found out. Two guests that had reservations called Pinkham Notch Visiters Center and cancelled at the last minute. Why didn't they simply pull their sled with them when they turned around? A small puzzle. Nothing like a good mystery to intrigue the soul and a sensational day to enjoy the mountains!
More of the full story on the lost gear is found on the A.M.C. site. A very good read!
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