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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH
Trails
Trails: Basin Cascade Trail, Pemi Trail, Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Franconia Bike Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the Basin lot (southbound off I-93). This large lot is paved and snow free. It is plowed in winter. No fee or overnight camping in the lot. The potties are still closed.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Basin Cascade Trail: impassible today. We made it to the first water crossing above Kinsman Falls and turned around. There is no viable crossing today due to elevated water levels. Remainder on other trails are bridged or have routes that can be used. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Pemi Trail (the 2 mile segment between the Basin lot and Lafayette Campground) has a few large blow downs. Blazes present, looking a bit faded, but still present. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Decent trails for dogs. All natural water points open. Lonesome Lake is a popular destination and all dogs today were leashed. 
Bugs
Bugs: Heh heh! No! Buggahs will be here soon... 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Several items left at Lonesome Lake sign in Lafayette Campground. I lost my old OD green Army-issued wool gloves. But that’s OK. They have literally served their purpose for me so if you found them, please keep them. They are surprisingly resilient. Don’t fault them because they’re two different sizes and may have holes. They’ve been over 300+ miles of trail (including roads in Iraq). 
 
Comments
Comments: Route:
Basin Cascade (attempt) > Pemi Trail (the 2 mile segment between Basin and Lafayette Campground) > Lonesome Lake > Fishin’ Jimmy (AT) > Kinsman Ridge Trail > Fishin’ Jimmy > Lonesome Lake > Franconia Bike Path

Basin Cascade: well blazed in blue, well signed. Trail was a waterfall itself. Light dusting to 0.25 inches of snow this morning. Wide trail. We marveled at the power of water against rock up until the first water crossing above the Kinsman falls. This is impassable at this time. I emphasize that the crossing is very dangerous as of today. Very large sign at the start of the trail with various mileage points.

So, after turning around, we elected to take the Pemi over to the popular trails and avoid drowning/hypothermia/being crushed to death by being flung by water against rocks.

Pemi Trail: well blazed in dark blue blazes. These are fading but are completely discernible. Easy grade. Most footbridges intact. No major water crossings on this trail. Dusting of snow this morning. Footbed easily seen. Large signs up and clear.

Lonesome Lake: well blazed in yellow. Popular trail. I never knew it had rocks or water points on the trail! The snow hides so much! :) Bareboots or light traction work best. Snowshoes will get torn up. From the start of the trail to about 0.5 miles in, we encountered mud interspersed with patches of shallow snow. This was gone by our evening return. Still a solid trench about 0.5 miles from the lake in the morning and afternoon. All signs up and in good shape.

Fishin’ Jimmy: this is the AT and is blazed in standard white blazes. Did you know there are wooden stairs affixed to the slabs on this trail?! I never knew it! Well, look at that! I still prefer snowshoe skiing but the steps were all exposed and totally useable today. After the hut we swam, I mean HIKED, through open trail interspersed with firm trench, shallow snow, sticky snow, wet heavy snow, well you get the point. Every 5 feet the terrain changes. Once above 3100 feet the solid trench remains with some small areas of exposed rock. All snow was sticky today but spikes proved the safest foot wear upon ascending after the swim meet- I mean HIKE through- the lakes above the hut.

Kinsman Ridge: this section is also the AT and is blazed in white blazes. Spikes were most advantageous as the trench is still firm and present for 75% of this trail. Don’t tear up your snowshoes! I packed mine today but refused to put them on after seeing the shallow snow levels (by shallow I mean anywhere from 1 inch of new snow on the trench to 3 inches of drifted snow). There is a 4+ month waitlist for my brand of snowshoes. So no, rocks, you ain’t getting a taste of the shoes.

Franconia Bike Path: great paved path that took us the 2 miles back to the car. Super nice little path. Grateful for the modern invention of pavement! This is a snowmobile route in winter.

Water levels in the Basin were a marvel today.  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-05-01 
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.

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