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Lincoln, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
The Kinsman Ridge Trail near the Kinsman Mountain North Peak summit
With some time off from work and temperatures forecasted to enter into the 80s, I decided an earlier morning hike would be a good idea. Since it was midweek, it seemed logical to do the Kinsmans - thus avoiding them on a busy weekend.
Starting just before 7 AM, I think I was the first person to ascend - I would not see anyone until after leaving South Kinsman. The sun was just starting to hit Lonesome Lake when I arrived there - making for a really nice, peaceful scene. Up until this point, the trail is moderately steep with decent footing.
I then picked up the Fishin' Jimmy Trail on the hut side of the lake, continuing on it as it dips into a valley before doing two steep ascents up to the Kinsman Pond area - some parts of the steeps actually had wooden steps embedded in the ledge like the Beaver Brook Trail.
Now on the Kinsman Ridge Trail, things became progressively steeper as the North Kinsman summit neared - nothing too bad, but a minor scramble or two.
Arriving at the summit, I quickly descended to the first view ledge, and then down to the more scenic lower ledge - excellent views of Cannon Mountain, Lonesome Lake, Kinsman Pond, and the Franconia Ridge.
Next up was South Kinsman - it's a steep initial descent, followed by some flats and a slightly more gradual ascent to a false summit, then a dip before the south summit cairn.
Though the growth at the summit is stunted, the views at the cairn are obstructed a bit (one can see the upper portions of the surrounding ridges). As a result, I decided to continue down the Kinsman Ridge Trail a bit to a really nice view ledge - excellent views of Moosilauke and points south and into Vermont.
After snapping a few shots and checking out other potential but lesser view points, I headed back to North Kinsman for an early lunch and a work call. Talk about telecommuting!
In contrast to the quiet ascent, the descent was gradually busier - a few folks were hanging around the nearly complete Kinsman Shelter, a few more on the Fishin' Jimmy Trail, and yet some more ascending the Lonesome Lake Trail.
All in all a nice day - between rain and obligations, it might be awhile before I hit the trails again, so it was good to get out for a few hours during the work week.
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The Lonesome Lake Trail trailhead at the Lafayette Campground hiker parking lot
Looking at Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Ridge from Kinsman Mountain's North Peak
The Kinsman Ridge Trail near the Kinsman Mountain South Peak summit
Looking at Mt. Moosilauke from Kinsman Mountain's South Peak
Back to Kinsman Mountain (North Peak) Profile
Back to Kinsman Mountain (South Peak) Profile
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