| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Northeast Cannonball, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Franconia Notch Recreation Path, Basin Cacades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Kinsman Pond Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Lonesome Lake Trail, Around Lonesome Lake Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, July 6, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the Flume Gorge parking lot at 8:30 and 3:00. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All were very easy to rock hop |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails were in great shape for the most part. Kinsman Pond trail had a few minor blowdowns but was otherwise in great shape. Kinsman Ridge trail between the junction with Kinsman Pond trail and Fishin' Jimmy trail had quite a lot, but all of them were small and easy to get over/under except for one which was poorly placed on a small rock slab, which made it only a little bit more tricky to get over. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There were a couple dogs down low on Basin Cascades trail. I think most dogs used to hiking would do fine on these trails. |
|
 | Bugs: |
There were a lot flying around but I didn't get bit or use bug spray, they were mostly just getting annoying if I stopped for too long and the breeze went away. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Basin Cascades trail passes a lot of nice cascades and waterfalls, and was very easy to follow. I saw a few groups who had hiked up just for the cascades and waterfalls, and this is a nice trail for that!
Kinsman Pond trail was definitely less used but had very bright blazes and made a steady and gradual climb up to Kinsman Pond, which was a very pretty spot. Last time I was there was in 2017 and it was foggy and the visibility was very limited, so it was nice to finally see the view up to North Kinsman.
Kinsman Ridge trail climbs up to North Kinsman at a pretty steep grade and it is gradual in between the two Kinsmans. Kinsman Ridge trail along the Cannonballs has a lot of short and steep sections, including ladders on the south side of Northeast Cannonball, and a lot of ups and downs which got tiring.
Lonesome Lake trail down to the hut and Around Lonesome Lake Trail are in great shape and are easy to follow. Lonesome Lake trail is somewhat rugged and is very rocky, which requires care if the rocks are wet. Around Lonesome Lake Trail has a few excellent viewpoints across the lake to Franconia Ridge, which was beautiful.
Cascade Brook back down from the hut was smooth sailing and very gradual.
I got to check of the Kinsmans in July and a couple more redline trails! |
|
 | Name: |
EMC_Squared |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-07-07 |
|
 | 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. |
|
