Bald Peak

Trail: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Bald Peak Spur

Conditions: Dry Trail

“This was my first time to the Kinsmans from the west. Things were great for the first two miles, but I didn't love the Mt. Kinsman Trail above Bald Peak at all—too rooty and rocky and narrow for me even by White Mountains standards. And no views (besides Bald Peak) until the junction with the KRT. However, if you want/need to get to the Kinsmans by this route, do it now when everything is dry because it's pretty clear that much of the trail is also a stream during wetter times of the year. The KRT was the KRT: very steep in spots just below North Kinsman on both sides, relatively easy approach to South Kinsman when coming from the north. Don't be fooled by the false South Kinsman summit complete with a mini cairn!”

Trail: Kinsman Ridge Trail, Gordon Pond Spur, Mt. Kinsman Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

“Interestingly, I think this is the first submission covering all these peaks together (Wolf and the two Kinsmans) in a while. Outstanding day in the Whites on every level - temperate weather no higher than the 70s, clear smoke-free skies, 100-mile visibility (to the Adirondacks from South Kinsman), and breezes to keep the bugs away. My brother hiked Franconia Ridge in the morning (which had a cloud cap during the first half of the day that eventually burned off), and so was available to facilitate the car shuttle between the Mount Kinsman Trail and Kinsman Notch. I started at first light from Kinsman Notch (5:15) and saw nobody till after Reel Brook Trail, then people regularly after that. Lots of little ups and downs, it's hard to go super fast! Glad to take the side trip to Gordon Pond to see the nice view of Mount Wolf, but that's too bad to see the trail beyond the pond seems decommissioned (see maintenance notes). As for the former Dilly Trail, its junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail is unsigned and the tread is pretty faint. It may be invisible in a few years. The west knob of Mount Wolf (considered the true summit) has a faint herd path for the 50 yards or so from the height of land on the AT. The register was last signed a few weeks ago. My favorite view today was the lower ledge beside North Kinsman's summit looking straight down to Kinsman Pond and over to the Franconia battlements. Awesome sights, especially in westerly afternoon light!”

Trail: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Bald Peak Spur

Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

“Three cars in the morning, one in the afternoon. Quiet day overall on trails, maybe saw about 8-10 people all day. Woodland sorrel and bunchberry in flower, blue bead, trillium, lady slippers present but past flowering. Nice lookouts along the ridge towards Lafayette to Flume and beyond. Nice views from Bald Peak, short side trail and worth the add-on. A few muddy spots here and there but nothing major. Detour trail to Mt. kinsman Tr is a nice foot bed, super easy to follow. Neat sections of mossy woodland in mid section of Kinsman Tr.”