CrazySage
New member
Date of Hike: 11/3/12
Trails: Mount Kinsman Trail and Kinsman Ridge Trail
Conditions: Late fall conditions down below, with slightly muddy trails and fallen leaves covering ankle-biting rocks. Light snow and thin ice over slippery leaves up above. Too little snow/ice for microspikes, but just enough to make it awfully slippery. In the lower elevations you can see evidence of Sandy’s passing off to the sides of the trail. After you pass by the Bald Peak spur trail there are 2 big blow downs (the first right across the trail requiring going around, the second requiring some navigation around a massive, newly-exposed root system) followed by 2 little blow downs easily stepped over. Otherwise the Mount Kinsman Trail is in excellent condition, with some spankin’-new blue blazes (thank you, trail adopter). The Kinsman Ridge Trail is well tended up to North Kinsman.
Special Equipment Required: Too little snow/ice to wear microspikes, but the conditions are building. They are in my pack, ready to be used, maybe next weekend.
Comments: The snow and ice made for a little slower going then we expected. That, plus a show in Boston that evening, made it easy for us to turn around after summiting North Kinsman (poor li'l orphan South Kinsman). We did sit on the ledge for lunch, surrounded by a ½ inch of fluffy snow, looking out at the blank, white canvas of clouds surrounding us. We then headed back down the way we came, passing by several small groups, many with dogs. It was a popular trail for dogs. Dog owners – please make sure you clean up after your dogs!!!
Jen English
jenglish one at worcester dot edu
65/67 NE 4K (stupid Abraham, stupid North Brother)
Trails: Mount Kinsman Trail and Kinsman Ridge Trail
Conditions: Late fall conditions down below, with slightly muddy trails and fallen leaves covering ankle-biting rocks. Light snow and thin ice over slippery leaves up above. Too little snow/ice for microspikes, but just enough to make it awfully slippery. In the lower elevations you can see evidence of Sandy’s passing off to the sides of the trail. After you pass by the Bald Peak spur trail there are 2 big blow downs (the first right across the trail requiring going around, the second requiring some navigation around a massive, newly-exposed root system) followed by 2 little blow downs easily stepped over. Otherwise the Mount Kinsman Trail is in excellent condition, with some spankin’-new blue blazes (thank you, trail adopter). The Kinsman Ridge Trail is well tended up to North Kinsman.
Special Equipment Required: Too little snow/ice to wear microspikes, but the conditions are building. They are in my pack, ready to be used, maybe next weekend.
Comments: The snow and ice made for a little slower going then we expected. That, plus a show in Boston that evening, made it easy for us to turn around after summiting North Kinsman (poor li'l orphan South Kinsman). We did sit on the ledge for lunch, surrounded by a ½ inch of fluffy snow, looking out at the blank, white canvas of clouds surrounding us. We then headed back down the way we came, passing by several small groups, many with dogs. It was a popular trail for dogs. Dog owners – please make sure you clean up after your dogs!!!
Jen English
jenglish one at worcester dot edu
65/67 NE 4K (stupid Abraham, stupid North Brother)
