3,268 ft | Kearsarge North | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Kearsarge North are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 31°F at the summit (3,268 ft), feeling like 23°F, with W winds at 7 mph. See the hour-by-hour Mount Kearsarge North weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Kearsarge North Trail (2.9 mi) · Weeks Brook Trail (4.7 mi)
Feels like 23°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, dry mid-October conditions with a clear start and no new precipitation in the last 24 hours, but sub-freezing temperatures mean wet rock and leaf litter from recent rain may be icy, especially higher up. Wind is the main concern, with gusts to 30 mph at the summit and elevation-profile winds up to 47 mph producing a wind chill near 2°F. Daylight is limited to about 11 hours, so plan an early start and an early descent.
Expect roughly 29°F at the trailhead dropping to about 23°F at the summit, with wind chill falling from about 13°F to near 2°F, so start with layers you can adjust and add insulation and a windproof shell before the exposed upper ledges and summit tower. The freezing level is at or below trailhead elevation, so ice on wet rock is possible the entire hike and most likely on the ledges around 2,700 ft and above.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday mid-morning through early afternoon, when it is mainly clear, dry, and warmer (high 43°F). On Saturday, wait for late morning when ice has had a chance to soften and wind is lower, and finish well before dark.
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: Kearsarge North Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Another nice outing with the OTHH. There were a few others who had gone up ahead of us and were descending, and some later, ascending as we came down. The open rock slabs half way up were quite wet in many places, making for tricky footing ascending. On the descent, the sun had gone to work, and most of this wetness had dried. Low down, there was a fair amount of water and some mud on the trail, but the mud wasn't especially deep, and we could walk over it.”
Trail: Kearsarge North Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant
“Beautiful day as always with the sun in and out and the breeze mostly keeping the bugs away. We needed to pay close attention to our foot placement due to the rough and wet surfaces, especially in the tangled root section. Last time we hiked here it was winter and snow-covered so the rough surface was hidden. I think I liked that hike better! But it's such a great view spot on a sunny day, and we were tempted to just lie there and take a nap!”
Trail: Kearsarge North Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches
“Trail is in good condition with no issues. A few very small patches of mud and snow and ice just off trail, easily avoided and barely noticeable. Trail runners trailhead to trailhead. I carried spikes but zero need for them!”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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23°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 23°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
56 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 56 mph above treeline, and a shell is what blocks it.
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 above the town of Conway in New Hampshire's White Mountains region, this 3,268-foot summit offers one of the most rewarding panoramas in the state relative to the effort required. The Kearsarge North Trail climbs steadily through northern hardwood and boreal forest before breaking above treeline near the summit, where hikers are rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views stretching from the Presidential Range to the lakes region and into Maine and Vermont. A historic fire tower crowns the rocky summit, adding both practical observation opportunities and historical character to the experience. The open, exposed summit cone makes this peak feel more alpine than its modest elevation might suggest. As a member of the 52 With a View peak list, Kearsarge North is a popular objective for hikers working through New Hampshire's most scenic summits, and its accessible trailhead keeps it busy throughout the hiking season.
Elevation
3,268 ft
Range
Kearsarge North
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
44.1056, -71.0942
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
7.8 mi away
4 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
20-year-old female from North Allerton, U.K.
On June 10, 2024, Laura Miller, 20, injured her ankle approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead on the Kearsarge North Trail while hiking with a group. Group members applied first aid but she was unable to continue on her own. Conservation Officers, Bartlett/Jackson Ambulance Service, and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her out in a litter, arriving at the trailhead before 7:30 p.m.; she was transported to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
21-year-old female from Richmond, RI
Cassandra Simpson, 21, slept in the Mt. Kearsarge fire tower the night of May 31 and injured her left leg while hiking down the mountain the morning of June 1, 2024. Conservation Officers and volunteers from Lakes Region Search and Rescue and Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue carried her out by litter to the trailhead. She was transported to Memorial Hospital in Conway for further evaluation.
45-year-old female hiker from Durham, NH
On November 4, 2023, Joanna Ledoux, 45, slipped and injured her ankle shortly after descending from the summit of Mt. Kearsarge North, approximately 2.8 miles from the trailhead. She was unable to bear weight and required a litter carry by Conservation Officers, LRSAR, and AVSAR. The rescue party reached the trailhead at 11:25 p.m.
39-year-old male from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bradford Nelson, 39, hiked to the summit of Mt. Kearsarge North on August 25, 2023, went off trail exploring, and became lost. Unable to self-rescue due to cold, wet weather and no light, he called 911 at approximately 11:00 p.m. Conservation Officers located him near the summit at 2:40 a.m. and escorted him back to the trailhead by 5:15 a.m.