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About


Kinsman Mountain (North Peak), Kinsman Mountain (South Peak)
Lincoln, NH, Franconia, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking back across Lonesome Lake on the way to North Kinsman
Looking back across Lonesome Lake on the way to North Kinsman

Route: Lonesome Lake Trail, Lonesome Lake, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, (North Kinsman), Kinsman Ridge Trail, (South Kinsman), Kinsman Ridge Trail, (North Kinsman Trail), Kinsman Ridge Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Lonesome Lake, Lonesome Lake Trail

With a chilly, but nice afternoon forecasted, I took a few hours off and headed up to the Kinsmans. Having never hiked the Kinsmans via the east in winter, I decided to give the Fishin' Jimmy Trail another trail.

The Lonesome Lake Trail was packed like a sidewalk, making for smooth sailing. Reaching the lake, I cut directly across on the snowcovered ice, passed the hut, and hopped onto the Fishin' Jimmy Trail.

With a nice snowshoe track on it, it was fairly smooth sailing, though the pointless-ups-and-downs of the trail, as well as a few iced over ledges, slowed progress a little. Nonetheless, I found the trail to be much more scenic than in the summer.

Reaching Kinsman Ridge, the temperatures were likely zero or below. Upon reaching North Kinsman, there were strong views from the near summit ledge. Continuing to South Kinsman, there were again excellent views, however the somewhat open nature of the summit, combined with freezing, slight wind gusts stopped me from lingering for too long.

As I decided the Fishin' Jimmy Trail, I noticed what seemed to be flu like symptoms coming on pretty quickly. The body aches and fatigue made the ups and downs much less than appreciated. Nonetheless, I was able to make it out before sunset, and before the flu would knock me over that night.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Kinsman Mountain (North Peak)
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal
Destination: Kinsman Mountain (South Peak)
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Monday, January 31, 2011
Hike Commenced: 11:54 AM
Parking Elevation: 1,750'
Destination: Kinsman Mountain (North Peak)
Ascent Commenced: 11:59 AM
Summit Reached: 2:00 PM
Time Elapsed: 02:01
Trailhead Elevation: 1,780'
Summit Elevation: 4,293'
Vertical Gain: 2,708'
Destination: Kinsman Mountain (South Peak)
Ascent Commenced: 2:02 PM
Summit Reached: 2:29 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:27
Trailhead Elevation: 4,293'
Summit Elevation: 4,358'
Distance: .9 mile
Vertical Gain: 373'
Destination: Kinsman Mountain (North Peak)
Ascent Commenced: 2:32 PM
Summit Reached: 3:00 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:28
Trailhead Elevation: 4,358'
Summit Elevation: 4,293'
Distance: .9 mile
Vertical Gain: 308'
Hike Ended: 4:45 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 4:51
Hike Vertical Gain: 3,614'


The Lonesome Lake Trail trailhead in the Lafayette Place campground
The Lonesome Lake Trail trailhead in the Lafayette Place campground

Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Ridge as seen from the North Kinsman vista - Click to enlarge
Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Ridge as seen from the North Kinsman vista

The Kinsman Ridge Trail between the Kinsmans
The Kinsman Ridge Trail between the Kinsmans

The southern Franconias, Lincoln, and points south as seen from South Kinsman - Click to enlarge
The southern Franconias, Lincoln, and points south as seen from South Kinsman

Topographic map of Kinsman Mountain (North Peak), Kinsman Mountain (South Peak) - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take I-93 South to the Lafayette Place exit. In winter, plowed parking is available to the right. From there, one can cross the brook/river on a bridge and head across the campground to the Lonesome Lake Trail trailhead, which is just beyond the (seasonally closed) restroom building.

Back to Kinsman Mountain (North Peak) Profile
Back to Kinsman Mountain (South Peak) Profile




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