| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 12, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Trailhead parking is a cake of ice. Driveable if you go slow, but know that traction is non-existent. Be careful on the way out: stopping isn't guaranteed. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossings all need a little thought before executing. Consider going a few yards to either side -- sometimes the better line is out there. Ice at the present moment is still a wee thin -- it'll be a few weeks more before reliable bridges have firmed up. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Wow, the trail is one of the best I've hiked in months from a maintenance standpoint. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
It's supposed to be a "wintry mix" on Saturday, so all this might be moot by next week. In any case, the trails are both in fine shape. I wore light crampons, and did well throughout. I saw someone who'd used micro spikes to the summit, so YMMV. The trails are currently in fine shape. There are a few blow-downs, but they're either high up, or otherwise very well managed. Blazes are copious and mostly in exactly the right places.
It's a crusty compacted snow on the trail, with several sections where the trail is absolutely bare on the lower half of the mountain. Apart from that, it's a good time hiking that trail right now. Just be mindful of the water crossings and the ice at the trailhead parking area.
Pics and a more detailed report are on my blog. |
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 | Name: |
Protean Wanderer |
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 | E-Mail: |
hiker@proteanwanderer.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-12-12 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2019/12/13/trip-report-north-and-south-kinsman-autumn-2019/ |
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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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