Mt. Kinsman, South Kinsman Mountain - Lonesome Lake trail, Around the lake trail, Fishin’ Jimmy trail, Kinsman Ridge trail - 5-2-2025

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Mt. Kinsman, South Kinsman Mountain, NH

	Trails:	Lonesome Lake trail, Around the lake trail, Fishin’ Jimmy trail, Kinsman Ridge trail

	Date of Hike:	Friday, May 2, 2025

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Park at Lafayette campground.

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches

	Recommended Equipment:	Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction

	Water Crossing Notes:	Rock hops on Fishin’ Jimmy. One part you sort of walk up a shallow waterfall. Also there are bog bridges around the lake, they are getting old so be careful or you might soak a foot, especially with snow hiding them.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	Bog bridges around the lake don’t look like they’re gonna last much longer.

	Dog-Related Notes:	Might be hazardous for dogs with the awkward stairs on FJ trail, in any season.

	Bugs:	None, despite being in the 60’s.

	Lost and Found:	Just a little trash picked up.


	Comments:	I used my good Hillsound spikes today, they came on and off a few times. It rained in the morning but I picked a window of beautiful weather in the afternoon and was in a tshirt all day, though it rained again on me briefly on the way out. I checked the GNAR map and it showed no snow for the area. There’s still maybe a foot or so in places, but the monorail is solid if you don’t step off it. I can not see how snowshoes would help anyone, but the box will get checked anyway because it’s a 4,000 footer I guess. There was no postholing, despite temps in the 60’s. It doesn’t look like it will freeze anytime soon, so expect slushy conditions. The hike only took me 4.5 hours surprisingly, though it felt like longer.

	Name:	Carl G

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2025-05-02

	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.