| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, February 17, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot is accessible, though the area where you actually park is ice. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ice bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few leaners on the ridge...was hoping to minimize headlamp usage, so they're still there. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Typical April conditions...in February.
From the trailhead to the first water crossing, the trail is generally blue or black ice. Little snow to no snow in the woods here. Microspikes would suffice for most of it, but barebooting is very difficult. One or two ice bulges just a little bit before the crossing that could outmatch Micros.
Snowpack starts at first water crossing - 1-2" of snowpack from there to the Bald Peak Spur. Some blue ice bulges on this section, but Micros would suffice.
After the flats above the spur, the snow depths finally start to increase, as do the ice bulges. Frankly, I think crampons of some sort are needed for safe passage down a few of these. Gave my Hillsound Trail Crampon Pros their maiden voyage on the descent - they did well. New snow depths go from a dusting to an inch on this section.
Once on the ridge, snowshoes were a good choice today. There was 1-2" of new snow, however on the climb up South Kinsman, near the bogbridges, the snow was still pretty soft and bareboots had done some damage. Hopefully my snowshoe track will set up overnight. While there were a few small icy areas, my snowshoes provided enough traction on the ridge. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21 at franklinwebpublishing dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-02-17 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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