| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Kinsman, North Kinsman, Cannon, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At least early on this Tuesday morning, there was ample parking in the lot for the Lonesome Lake trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Streams were running very low- no major crossings with current water conditions. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, and most of the Kinsman Ridge Trail are in excellent shape- even the segment of the Kinsman Ridge Trail between Kinsman Junction and the Lonesome Lake Trail (over the Cannon Balls). Very much appreciated the trail work on Fishin' Jimmy (with numerous wooden blocks, and small steps cut into steep rock slabs for added traction) and the relocated lower 0.8 miles of the Old Bridge Path. Greenleaf Trail seemed unblazed below the hut, but the corridor was easy to follow despite the abundant leaf litter. The Kinsman Ridge Trail north of Cannon Mountain (after it diverges east from the Rim Trail) could use serious work. Portions are severely eroded, descend featureless rock slab and would be especially treacherous when wet, and go down lengthy sections of a slippery, gravel-filled trench. I'm not sure going up it would have been much more enjoyable. Also, and this is more a point of amusement, the Forest Protection Area signs around Greenleaf Hut have added an extra "E" to create the "GREEENLEAF Trail" on the map. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Many sections of the Fishin' Jimmy and Kinsman Ridge Trail are steep and rugged, but navigable for experienced hiking dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Minor presence of black flies- one application of repellent at the beginning of the hike was sufficient to keep them away. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Despite foliage being slightly past peak (with many of the leaves having already dropped), this was a highly enjoyable loop taking in many of the highlights around Franconia Notch. Unusually dry conditions made the steeps on the Fishin' Jimmy and Kinsman Ridge Trails easier to navigate than usual. Plenty of views on offer from the ledges near North Kinsman, the south knob of South Kinsman, many areas along the ridgeline near the Cannon summit, and of course above treeline near Greenleaf Hut. I ended up cutting this loop a bit short due to time constraints, and came down the Old Bridle Path from Greenleaf Hut, but had intended to summit Mt. Lafayette and cross Franconia Ridge to the Falling Waters Trail and descend that way. It was still a formidable 18.2 miles with 7,300' elevation gain. This was my first time up the Greenleaf Trail, and I will confidently attest it is a more difficult climb to the hut compared to taking the Old Bridle Path. However, Eagle Pass was very interesting, and the solitude of that approach was appealing as well. Despite it being a Tuesday, there was lots of company in the vicinity of the Cannon summit (including the Rim Trail and observation deck), and a moderate number of fellow hikers / trail runners while descending the Old Bridle Path. Full details on Unnecessary Climb! |
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 | Name: |
Jason |
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 | E-Mail: |
kurlando7@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-10-09 |
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 | Link: |
 https://unnecessaryclimb.wordpress.com/franconia-notch-north/ |
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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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