NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Kinsman (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Basin-Cascades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, March 4, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Only car at the Basin southbound. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The crossing of Cascade Brook immediately after the junction of the Basin-Cascades Trail and Cascade Brook Trail looked to be completely snow-bridged. As I discovered the hard way, it was not. The tenuous ice bridge collapsed into the stream, and I plunged into about a foot of water. There was a small log across the brook a bit to the left which might be helpful, but I wasn't about to try the crossing a second time. Note that I'm about 140 pounds all in with snowshoes and loaded pack. I don't recommend attempting this crossing right now, especially with the upcoming warmer weather. The crossing 0.5 miles up the Basin-Cascades Trail was solidly bridged, for what it's worth!  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Basin-Cascades Trail in excellent shape, with vivid blue blazes. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I had a lovely snowshoe of just over a mile up the Basin-Cascades Trail, with a bit of fresh powder over a soft but well-broken trail. Frozen Kinsman Falls yielded a few good photos. The crossing of Cascade Brook immediately after reaching the Cascade Brook Trail looked fine, until I plunged in through the ice. I wasn't going to risk frostbite in zero-degree temperatures with a waterlogged left boot, so I returned to the car rather than searching for alternatives (or bushwhacking up the south bank to the Kinsman Pond Trail). The Cascade Brook Trail appeared to be unbroken, and I now understand why.

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Name
Name: Jason 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kurlando7@hotmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-03-04 
Link
Link: https://unnecessaryclimb.wordpress.com 
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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