| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, March 17, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The 15 or so spots on the west side of the road were full when I arrived at noon, forcing me to reverse at the Flume exit to park on the east side, where there was plenty of room. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Happily followed the lemming path across Lonesome Lake on the way up with no issues. Felt a little foolish when I saw how much open water there was on Kinsman Pond, but I still made the Lonesome Lake ice crossing again on the return. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There was a big deuce 100 yards or so from the Lonesome Lake trailhead inches off the trail. Not sure whether any of the three dogs I saw today were guilty. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Bottom line is that it will soon be April in the Whites. Over 50 degrees in the lot at noon. I assumed microspikes would ball up early and often in these conditions, so I barebooted until the first icy sections on Fishing Jimmy, where I put on crampons. They handled the ice just fine, which was softening up quickly. The trail was actually packed nicely for the most part, and I managed to keep my posthole step total in the low single digits, going ankle deep at worst.
On my way up, I passed a half dozen groups coming down, totaling around 20 people, all muddling through on microspikes without complaint. Kinsman Ridge Trail was in good shape, nicely packed with soft snow that still provided firm footing. The icy sections got more forgiving as they softened up.
When I turned around at South Kinsman, I switched to snowshoes, partly to give myself a merit badge for smoothing things out a little more, but mostly for beta testing in the current conditions. They were probably the best choice, passably handling the soft ice and really shining in the soft snow, especially on the descent from Lonesome Lake. |
|
 | Name: |
Vane |
|
 | E-Mail: |
Cables617 at gmail |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-17 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
