2,465 ft | Kinsman | 0 routes
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Bald Peak are currently rated Moderate. At 8:40 PM ET it was 53°F at the summit (2,465 ft), feeling like 47°F, with W winds at 16 mph. See the hour-by-hour Bald Peak weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Feels like 47°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.06" (24h) · 0.52" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Rain is ongoing with strong winds, and a sharp cooldown into Saturday brings freezing overnight lows that can ice up wet rock and roots. Sunday looks drier but cold, with a short fall daylight window of about 11 hours, so plan an early start and carry a headlamp.
Trailhead to summit is only about 465 ft of gain, so temperatures differ by just a few degrees, but wind increases toward the top and wind chill drops into the mid-20s. Start with a warm base layer plus shell, and carry an insulating layer for stops since forecast temperatures are near or below freezing.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday morning through early afternoon, once temperatures recover slightly under overcast but dry skies; Saturday is cold, foggy, and likely icy at first, so only attempt it later in the day after surfaces warm and with traction.
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Reel Brook Trail, Bald Peak Spur
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“I biked from Reel Brook to the new Mt. Kinsman trailhead. It's a quick, mostly downhill run. Bald Peak does have a nice western view, but IMO it would not be worth the $20 car parking fee (I'm from Maine) if it had been my only objective for the day. Of note, I did meet a hiker on the way up who used the old trailhead to access the trail without paying the fee. The Kinsman Flume is very impressive and somewhat scary since you can get right to the edge of its impressive drop. Nice views along the ridge and met many NOBOs and one SOBO. The descent to Harrington Pond is challenging; I think this might be a risky route if the ledges are wet. It took me longer than the 30 minute AMC guide time to descend the mile to Harrington Pond; lots of sitting down and careful sliding from foothold to foothold. Reel Brook was a very pleasant and easy walk down after the hours of scrambling on the Ridge.”
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!”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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25°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 25°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising to 2,465 feet in the Kinsman Range of New Hampshire's White Mountains, this rewarding moderate summit offers hikers a genuine above-treeline experience without the demands of the higher peaks. The open rocky summit delivers panoramic views across the surrounding landscape, making the effort well worthwhile. As a member of the 52 With a View (52 WAV) peak list, it attracts peak baggers seeking summits that combine accessibility with meaningful scenery. The trail character is typical of New Hampshire's smaller ranges — rooted and rocky in sections, but manageable for hikers with basic fitness and appropriate footwear. Its position within the Kinsman Range provides scenic context alongside neighboring peaks, and the exposed summit cap gives hikers a satisfying taste of true alpine character. This is an excellent choice for those building experience in the White Mountains or working through the 52 WAV list.
Elevation
2,465 ft
Range
Kinsman
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
44.1478, -71.7518
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
5.3 mi away