| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Basin Cascades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Kinsman Pond Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 24, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Basin Lot was almost full — tourist season is back (though interested who decides to visit the Whites in April) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Had no issue at the crossing — easily rock-hoppable even in full late afternoon melt. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A couple friendly ones having a great time! |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A great spring day in the Kinsmans. Made a loop from the Basin lot, heading up the Kinsman Pond Trail, summiting North Kinsman, then descending via the Fishin' Jimmy Trail. All in all, conditions were good for spring. Bare trail along Basin Cascades, and not even very wet — almost like summer conditions. Above the junction with Cascade Brook Trail, snow becomes more plentiful, and by the Cascade Brook-Kinsman Pond Trail junction snow cover is fairly uniform. Ascending Kinsman Pond, the monorail was good and solid, even on my afternoon hike on a 55ish degree day. It's postholed and thin in spots, with some assorted bare stretches, but all in all not bad. The worst section is actually the short stretch paralleling Kinsman Pond itself, where the sun has turned that brief south-facing slope into a slushy mess. It passes fast, however.
Kinsman Ridge is well-packed up North Kinsman. I put on my spikes here, and was very glad to have them on some of the icier parts. Fishin' Jimmy was a good way melted out on the steep upper portion, though I kept spikes on, since ice and snow were frequent enough, and a fall consequential enough, that I decided the wear on my spikes was well worth it. The lower section is mostly monorail, with frequent bare patches — I took spikes off, but saw some people wearing them. The stretch of Cascade Brook Trail from Lonesome Lake to the junction with Kinsman Pond is a solid monorail, with some barer spots near the lake.
I never had any need for snowshoes today, and didn't see any parties wearing or carrying them. Hopefully I'll get to take them for another spin before this winter's fully over! |
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 | Name: |
Matt |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-04-25 |
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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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