South Kinsman Mountain

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: Basin-Cascades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

“The ledges were pretty much dry making for safe footing. I hadn't been on Basin-Cascades and Cascade Brook trails for decades, so it was like seeing a new trail. They are an easy way to get up to the Lonesome Lake hut with some falls and pools to enjoy. Great view from the docks at Lonesome Lake and at the summits. At North Kinsman one can descend from the initial ledge that looks to Lonesome Lake to arrive at the second ledge that allows a view down to Kinsman Pond. There are a couple of minor ledges and a few branches extending into the short path to this lower ledge. There are two knobs on South Kinsman. The south knob has the best views and the "throne seat: on the large cairn.. Lots of hikers out today. I met hikers from all the New England states coming from both the east and west approaches to the ridge. Also met many AT thru and section hikers from many US states as well as Germany.”

Trail: Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, Kinsman Pond Trail

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

“North and South Kinsman today for 18&19/48. No dog as it was forecast to be hot and humid. It was humid, but not terribly warm in the woods and at elevation. We took the Cascade Brook trail up to Lonesome Lake. Then took Fishin’ Jimmy to the Kinsman tent site. From there it was up Kinsman Ridge to North and South peaks. The trails were wet & slippery down low from the previous evening rains. Up past Kinsman Pond it was drier but still slippery in spots. We descended back to Kinsman Pond and decided to take the Kinsman Pond trail back down. I can say with all certainty that I won’t be taking that trail again. It was hard to follow, wet, mossy and had us carefully placing every step for the first couple miles. We joined back up at the Basin Cascade for a foot soaking in the cool water, which felt amazing!! 11.2 miles. 8 hrs 20 min total time out with moving time of 6 hrs 44 min.”