| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cannon Mountain , NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Kinsman Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 10, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot is plowed in, and the “driveway” is a solid sheet of ice, so be prepared. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged, dry feet from bottom to top and back! |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some low-hanging branches covered in ice made for ridiculous pictures as my 6’2” hubby tried to make it under without catching his snowshoes. The Indian Jones “Boulder of Doom” remains in place *phew*! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Two stunningly friendly doggos today! |
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 | Bugs: |
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|
 | Lost and Found: |
Ice axe cover…left on the trail sign at the bottom of the trail |
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|
 | Comments: |
I’ve waffled on getting Cannon for winter for 4 years because of all the ice I’ve heard about, but I guess I hit the jackpot with conditions because today the KRT was dreamier than Pierce! Packed powder that had just enough give to allow our K-10s to grip, and enough snow to cover 99% of the ice bulges in the kitty litter luge of death. About .8 miles in it was readily apparent our freeloading snowshoes had once again gone for a free ride, but I guess it builds character (and muscles!) The main overlook just below the summit is broken out, but the other three vistas along the flat sections of KRT aren’t, and with good reason. Snow drifts made for a very narrow channel that you post holed into spruce traps on either side if you lost your balance, and it’s a long way down. The tower wasn’t rime-encrusted due to the fierce winds over the past 24 hours, but the views were still stunning! A lot of ice on the tower stairs, so traction would be helpful. Overall a fantastic day to bring me to 38/48 for our W48, and 206/576 for my grid!
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 | Name: |
islandgirl |
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 | E-Mail: |
joannhall4@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-01-10 |
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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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