| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cannon Mountain, Northeast Cannonball, North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Kinsman Ridge Trail, Mt. Kinsman Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 31, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We spotted a car at MKT lot just after 7AM, the first car in the lot. There was some ice but mostly gone by our return, the rut on the road in is passible in a small car if you stay to the right. Ample parking at the tram lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Three crossings on MKT were all flowing strong and whatever sections of ice/snow bridging that remained could not be trusted. This afternoon the water was so high it was running on top of much of the ice. The higher crossing just below Bald Peak Spur has significant ice where the trail crosses, we went upstream about 15 ft where it was narrower and found some supportive ice on the sides and pole vaulted the short distance to the other side. Next crossing we used rocks with a couple steps on a decaying snow bridge (which is likely gone at this point). For the final crossing my friend hopped across the larger rocks and I just said the hell with it and walked trough knee deep water a few feet upstream since it was 50 degrees out. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Besides the lower section of KRT from the tram lot still being a horribly eroded mess, there were a few smaller blowdowns between Cannon and NE Cannon Ball that could be easily avoided. MKT is excellent, the newer water bars were doing a great job today. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The ice on Cannon may cause problems for dogs. We did meet and hang out with a super friendly golden retriever named Olive on the Kinsmans. She came up KRT which makes for a good dog hike right now. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
It is late April / early May conditions right now. This morning the ice started shortly up KRT and after the eroded section it was significant. Serious glare flow ice with water running below the ledges, would certainly want something more aggressive than micros especially descending. Sharp Hillsounds and caution worked on the way up. Snow was supportive up to Cannon's summit. The steep sections on the south side of Cannon were basically a waterfall. Lots of ice and sketchy spots that require care, with good planning we were able to avoid the worst of it. We carried crampons (and I had an axe) but didn't use then but once this ice hardens it will be crampon territory for sure. We switched to snowshoes from NE Cannon Ball to the MKT junction. It was boney at times with section that was basically a river due to the run off. There are some nasty postholes on the Kinsmans that will be there until the next good dumping of snow. MKT is well packed out and not postholed, only ice below the junction of Bald Peak with turns to mostly mud after the crossings.
The conditions and fact were were both carrying the kitchen sink for gear made for slow going. I'll gladly trade 50 degree days with rain for 0 degrees and a foot of powder to break. |
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 | Name: |
Kyle L |
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 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/8318396583 |
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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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