| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 30, 2013 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The three water crossings on the Mount Kinsman Trail were mostly/completely frozen over and as long as you pick your spots (a little upstream on first and third crossing) you should be all set. The crossing near a very minor "water fall" is breakable crust but you can go rock to rock. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is one big blowdown about 1/2 mile in - can work you away around it to the left (on the way in). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw Eddie the Beagle out there (he was staying with some friends at the Kinsman Pond Shelter) and he seemed to be doing fine. |
|
 | Bugs: |
No bugs. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing lost or found. |
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|
 | Comments: |
A last-minute change of plans put us in pursuit of the Kinsmans. We had planned to do a two day backpack but really don't have winter camping gear so instead of freezing in the back country we decided to head up to grab North and South Kinsman from the west. We've always enjoyed the Mount Kinsman Trail and it didn't dissapoint. There were a few cars already in the lot (we didn't hit the trail until 10:00 AM) and there was another couple leaving at the same time we did - we could leap frog with them the entire day.
The trails at the lower elevations had some ice but not much - it didn't get "bad" until taking the turn at the Bald Knob Spur Trail. In some places you could skirt the edge but most of the trail at the steep section (last 3/4 mile or so) was edge to edge ice. Managed to safely navigate the trail using a pair of Hillsound Trail Crampons that I had to cobble together after not one, not two, but three different support chains snapped. Had to use some Velcro straps to replace the broken stainless steel chain. Worked like a charm.
There were a a couple tricky sections on the southern descent from North Kinsman but easily navigated. |
|
 | Name: |
Michael & Monica |
|
 | E-Mail: |
akafuzzjones@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2013-11-30 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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