2,930 ft | Kearsarge | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Kearsarge are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 33°F at the summit (2,930 ft), feeling like 22°F, with NW winds at 17 mph. See the hour-by-hour Mount Kearsarge weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Rollins Trail (0.5 mi) · Winslow Trail (0.9 mi) · Barlow Trail (1.4 mi) · Lincoln Trail (4.2 mi)
Feels like 22°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, breezy autumn conditions with sub-freezing overnight lows and gusty NW winds at the summit; wind chill near 4-22°F makes insulation important despite the sheltered, low-exposure summit. Recent light rain (0.36 in over 48h) followed by freezing temps means wet rock and trail surfaces may be icy, especially early in the morning, so plan for a later start once surfaces warm. Daylight is limited to about 11 hours, so keep a comfortable margin.
Temperatures drop about 2°F per 1,000 ft, from roughly 28-44°F at the trailhead to 24-40°F at the summit, with wind chill falling from about 11°F to 4°F. The freezing level straddles the route, so start with layers you can shed on the climb and add a windproof layer and insulation before reaching the open summit ledges.
Best Hiking Window
Saturday late morning through early afternoon, after surfaces have thawed; Sunday is the better overall day with clearer skies, lighter precipitation risk, and similar temps.
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM 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: Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Beautiful day to get in a small hike! Winslow and Barlow trails are both in great shape. Winslow trail is steeper and has a lot of rock slabs and more rugged sections, so it would be more difficult in wet conditions, but still very doable with caution.”
Trail: Winslow Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail
“Nice hike with many friends today to honor and remember Ryan Bishop. Family and friends went up Rollins or Winslow. Both groups of hikers met at the summit and ate our lunches and enjoyed the view together. Trail was dry with a couple of damp places. I think the 1/2 painted on the rock is smart and think it would be smart if Falling Tourist and Bridle Path had half way signs, Monadnock has them too. Trail was clear and the top half is wide and rough the top. Lot of people out beating the rain today. Cool breeze and hazy views. There is a playground, picnic tables and pit toilets and porta potties at the trailhead.”
Trail: Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“It was a great day to hike Kearsarge before the forecasted afternoon thunderstorms. Lots of sunshine and great views. The trail was clear of any snow and ice, with some wet areas and slippery rocks. If you want to avoid crowds, now is the time to hike this peak.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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24°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 24°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 2,930 feet in the Lake Sunapee region of central New Hampshire, this accessible summit is one of the most popular hikes in the state — and for good reason. The well-maintained trail winds through pleasant mixed forest before breaking above treeline near the top, rewarding hikers with sweeping 360-degree views that stretch across Lake Sunapee, the White Mountains to the north, and Vermont's Green Mountains to the west. A historic fire tower and stone fire warden's cabin crown the open, rocky summit, adding a layer of human history to the experience. Two primary trailheads — Winslow State Park and Rollins State Park — offer different approaches to the top, both relatively short and straightforward. Its inclusion on the 52 With a View (52 WAV) list reflects the exceptional panorama that makes this modest peak punch well above its elevation.
Elevation
2,930 ft
Range
Kearsarge
Difficulty
Easy
Coordinates
43.3834, -71.8571
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
26.2 mi away