| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 26, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues on any of the three crossings |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The handful of blowdowns mentioned in a prior trip report have been cleared. BR took ALL the fun out of wanting to break the maiden of my shiny new 14" big boy saw. I took out about 5 leaners/blowdowns along KRT that nordic_gal would describe as "a future heartache." (As in, once we get snow, they will be an impediment.) Pretty slick to cut a 6" blowdown in about ten seconds. ARR ARR ARR (That's my Tim the Tool Man Taylor Grunt and about the manliest thing I have done in a while) |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Still a good amount of blue ice so might tear some pads up |
|
 | Bugs: |
No tourons, no problem |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A FINE day in Asa's woods where had. I had to keep checking the calendar, as I thought I fell into a coma and woke up in May, because the trails resemble that. We found amicable trail conditions and avoidable ice to Bald Junction. My favorite part of the lower portion of this trail is the bridge that's under the water, and the culvert that's over the road (but still has flow through it). The island of misfit infrastructure is on the Mt. Kinsman Trail. We opted to put spikes on at 3000 as it was more efficient and at a point that was more consistent snowpack/blue ice. Spikes ruled the day for the trip up and over North and to South. On South, we where treated to a real stunner of a show of undercast to the South. As seemingly always with this pair, there was a great undercast to the west as well, with Abe and Ellen visible in the distance in the sea of clouds. With the addition of the sun, the walk back along the ridge had softened even in the short time between trips. Much like spring for sure. We kept spikes on to about 2800 upon return, however it would have been more efficient to have kept them on until Bald junction. On the way out, significant warming and melting had occurred and it became a wet leaf, ice, and mud pit. The holy trinity of delight for sure. A monorail (YES A MONORAIL) is holding on just past the Bald junction towards the ridge. |
|
 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, CaptChris |
|
 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-26 |
|
 | 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. |
|
