NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Cannon Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Lonesome Lake Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Hi-Cannon Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Lonesome Lake Trail was well broken out from the Lafayette Campground parking lot to the Lake itself. Barebooting is possible on that stretch, though I still opted for snowshoes for the added traction and televators. After that, a light re-breaking was necessary from the junction with Around Lonesome Lake up to Kinsman. It looked like one other person had traveled Kinsman with snowshoes since the last snowfall, so it was still quite soft.

The steepest portion of Kinsman below the Hi-Cannon junction is honestly a mess. Powder is getting knocked off to reveal hard ice. It was hairy at times, though I considered it an added bonus that the trees smelled great while I was hugging them for balance while strategizing and stowing my poles, which had become somewhat of a liability. After that, the Cannon summit was gorgeous, albeit windy. I climbed the tower to admire Franconia Ridge in its bluebird glory, then got too cold futzing with my snowshoes.

I opted to take Hi-Cannon down to avoid the Kinsman ice capades. It needed moderate re-breaking but was easy to follow and a blast to fly down. Seeing Lonesome Lake from ~1000 feet up was well worth it. Ran into 5 other hikers heading up midway down, all with snowshoes. Then I was back to re-breaking after the Dodge Cutoff junction.

All told, a beautiful day in Franconia Notch. I wished I could have stayed longer. Bring snowshoes if you're doing anything other than heading to the lake.  
Name
Name: Kevin M 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-02-23 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved