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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, December 19, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: I was the first vehicle to pull into the lot today, I arrived at 10:00AM. Lot was not plowed but only about 4" of snow. Cars should not have a problem (there was a Prius in the lot when I left just after 3PM).Just be mindful of the large dip when pulling in.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossings were easy, spikes and poles helpful. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: MKT is a very well maintained trail. Frequent blue blazes, only recall one or two blowdowns that were easy to step over.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No dogs seen today. There were other canine tracks however in the fresh now that crossed the trail. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Solo hike today of the Kinsmans after the fresh snow had fallen. I was the first on the trail today and put down the only set of tracks to KRT (the report previously posted for this trail must of been from yesterday).

MKT to well past Bald Peak junction had only 2-4" of snow, deeper in the more open areas as the trees were holding onto another inch or two. I was hoping for snowshoe-able conditions today but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I brought my beater snowshoes but they stayed on my pack, just too boney under the fresh powder. I barbooted to the water crossings then used beater microspikes to KRT. There were two sets of tracks from a pair of hikers that came up from Lonesome Lake but they only did the North peak. From their to the South peak I again laid fresh tracks, where I switched to Hillsounds and kept them on for the return and much of the descent. The ice is still lurking below the fresh snow so good traction is needed. A little wind and blowing snow along the ridge, and South Peak summit was mostly snow free. Snow depths on the ridge between the peaks did not exceed 6" even with drifting. Light snow was still coming down and with the winds I would personally bring snowshoes again for the ridge if doing this hike tomorrow.

Upon returning there were a few sets of tracks from hikers going to Bald Peak so that part of MKT is well pathed out.




 
Name
Name: Kyle L 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kjlanctot gmail 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-12-19 
Link
Link: https:// 
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