N. Kinsman Elevation: 4,293 ft
S. Kinsman Elevation: 4,358 ft
Total Distance: 11.2 miles
Estimated Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Views: Very Good
From 93S take the ramp for Lafayette Place Campground and there's a small trailhead parking lot on the left. However, on a high volume day both sides of the highway will be lined with cars so just park wherever you can find a spot. (Update: Roadside parking at this location may now be prohibited.)
North Kinsman
From the trailhead parking lot, cross the Pemigewasset River on the footbridge and follow signs for the Lonesome Lake Trail through the campground and beginning up the mountain. This is a fairly high traffic trail despite it's moderately steep incline. Many places have stone stair steps. In 0.4 miles, the High Cannon Trail will split off to the right, but stay to the left on Lonesome Lake Trail. Continue another 0.8 miles until you come to a large confusing intersection next to the east shore of Lonesome Lake. Trails to Cannon Mountain and the north side of the lake come in from the right, but you'll stay to the left around the south side of the lake. This is a flat trail around the perimeter of the lake, occasionally walking across logs where the ground gets soggy. At the intersection with the Cascade Brook Trail, stay to the right and go across the footbridge along the lake. There's a patio here with great views across the lake to Mt Lafayette and Mt Lincoln on the opposite range.
After your photoshoot at the patio, go up the stairs to the Lonesome Lake Hut and enjoy some snacks, warm up on a cold day, or use proper bathroom facilities up the hill and to the right from the main hut. When you're through, you'll find the Fishin' Jimmy Trail around the back side of the Hut, to the left while standing at the top of the stairs. Beyond this point the trail traffic should decrease significantly.
The Fishin' Jimmy Trail climbs for 2 miles up to the top of the ridge. It is quite steep and quite difficult. In some places they secured wooden steps into the side of sheer rocks. This trail is not for the faint of heart and you may well find yourself cursing out Fishin' Jimmy by the end of it.
At the top, you'll come to a four-way intersection. The Kinsman Pond Trail goes off to the left. You can follow it a short way to look through the trees out over the pond if you like. There's also a camping platform here. The Kinsman Ridge Trail comes in from the right and continues straight ahead. You'll go straight across this intersection and follow the Kinsman Ridge Trail for another 0.2 miles. The Mount Kinsman Trail, which comes up the west side of the mountain, will come in from the right and here is where you'll find the USFS marker.
But continue another 0.4 miles along the ridge trail to the highest point. There will be a small trail down some rocks and through the trees to a long open rock face. From here you get great views across to the Franconia Range. Lighting is especially good in the late afternoon.
South Kinsman
Continue along the Kinsman Ridge Trail for another 0.9 miles. The trail descends a little ways then goes back up like you'd expect from a ridge trail, but nothing steep. There is one "false peak" along the way. The trail opens up to a flat rocky area and then starts descending again. But if you look further up the trail, you'll see another bigger flat rocky area which is a bit higher. At that second one you'll find the cairn at the official summit.
 |
| South summit cairn looking back toward the North peak |
 |
| Views to the north and west from the South summit |
Official Trail Map: (click to enlarge)
No comments:
Post a Comment