South Kinsman Mountain

Trail: Bike path, Basin Cascades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Kinsman Pond Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Lonesome Lake Trail, Around Lonesome Lake Trail

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

“Basin Cascades trail passes a lot of nice cascades and waterfalls, and was very easy to follow. I saw a few groups who had hiked up just for the cascades and waterfalls, and this is a nice trail for that! Kinsman Pond trail was definitely less used but had very bright blazes and made a steady and gradual climb up to Kinsman Pond, which was a very pretty spot. Last time I was there was in 2017 and it was foggy and the visibility was very limited, so it was nice to finally see the view up to North Kinsman. Kinsman Ridge trail climbs up to North Kinsman at a pretty steep grade and it is gradual in between the two Kinsmans. Kinsman Ridge trail along the Cannonballs has a lot of short and steep sections, including ladders on the south side of Northeast Cannonball, and a lot of ups and downs which got tiring. Lonesome Lake trail down to the hut and Around Lonesome Lake Trail are in great shape and are easy to follow. Lonesome Lake trail is somewhat rugged and is very rocky, which requires care if the rocks are wet. Around Lonesome Lake Trail has a few excellent viewpoints across the lake to Franconia Ridge, which was beautiful. Cascade Brook back down from the hut was smooth sailing and very gradual. I got to check of the Kinsmans in July and a couple more redline trails!”

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.”

Trail: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant

“Better weather than expected, perfect temps to start. 1st .3 is closed due to nesting birds of prey. Button Fern Path will take you to just above the Sugar Shack. Soft trail no rocks or roots to speak of. Very wet & muddy early then just damp for most of the trip. 1st time down to the Flume, very nice but watch the kids and pets. Very cloudy once on the Ridge, bypassed the outlook on North & headed to South. Great 360 views just past summit, only 1 other here. Views into the Notch & of Harrington Pond, so beautiful. Lunch here until black flies drove us away. Back to North outlook, very crowded. We went down to the lower ledges for quiet views into Kinsman Pond. We were joined by the Stormy Weather crew, so nice to see them again! Love to see young kids out there hiking. Great hike with Erik! This Grids out June for me.”