2. New England 4000+ ft Mountains

North Kinsman 1.5.2013

For the first hike of the year and my first real winter hike of the season, I decided it was time to revisit the Kinsmans. My plan was to hike both North and South Kinsman from the west on the Mt. Kinsman Trail to the Kinsman Ridge Trail. After summiting North Kinsman I headed into the saddle between the peaks. As soon as I started up, I got bad legs cramps from not drinking enough today. I decided it was best to take a break, drink some more, and turn around to play it safe. Morning traffic put me behind schedule and South Kinsman was staying just in the clouds anyways. The weather was cool and windy, but still enjoyable.
The hike was 8.6 miles with a total elevation gain of 3,626 ft.
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The start of the trail at the "new" trailhead parking lot
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The start of the trail at the "new" trailhead parking lot

NKinsman4126

  • The start of the trail at the "new" trailhead parking lot
  • Early on the trail there was just an inch or two of fresh snow with one set of tracks before me
  • Nearing the junction with the old start of the trail
  • The start of any climbing along the trail. An easy section that is a warm up for the long trek to the summit
  • Continuing along a gradual incline with a smooth trail
  • Nearing the Bald Peak spur trail with more snow sticking to the trees
  • Above Bald Peak, the trail was a narrow snowshoe packed trench. This nice spot was wear I decided to change layers on my upper body as it was cool and you could feel the wind more here
  • Plenty of snow clinging to the trees now
  • Heading up through the trees on an one of the long uphill sections of trail
  • Entering the forest protection area that is within a quarter mile of the Kinsman Pond Campsite
  • Almost to the Kinsman Ridge Trail as snow drifts into the trail about 8-10 inches deep to walk through
  • A small snow covered opening in the trees next to the trail
  • Looking up towards the summit of North Kinsman at the intersection with the Kinsman Ridge Trail
  • Looking down over the Kinsman Ridge Trail to Cannon Mountain
  • A closer look at Cannon Mountain
  • A turn in the trail as I near the summit
  • Snow covering everything even with the wind at the summit
  • Thick and heavy snow on the trees at the summit
  • Heading past the summit of North Kinsman, you get views to South Kinsman. Which happens to be just in the clouds
  • Looking east over to a cloud capped Franconia Range
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