Lonesome Lake Trail
On the way up South Kinsman Mountain, North Kinsman Mountain, Mount Cannon · New Hampshire
Lonesome Lake Trail is a trail in the Kinsman Range and around Moosilauke, climbing about 1,700 ft from Lonesome Lake Trailhead to the Kinsman Ridge Trail junction.
Map length
2.1 mi
Climb from the low end
1,712 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
1 h 53 min / 1 h 3 min
High point
3,441 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,916 ft/mi
Stream crossings
2
Low point
1,752 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Lonesome Lake Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Lonesome Lake Trailhead (the lower end) to Kinsman Ridge Trail junction.
- 0.0Lonesome Lake Trailhead
- 0.0Bridge over Pemigewasset River
- 0.0Lafayette Campground
- 0.3Bridge over a stream
- 0.4Junction with Hi-Cannon Trail
- 1.2Junction with Cascade Brook Trail and Dodge Cut-off
- 1.3Junction with Around Lonesome Lake Trail
- 2.0Coppermine Col
- 2.1Junction with Kinsman Ridge Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Hi-Cannon Trail junction
0.37 mi (total 0.37) · ↑201 ↓0 ft · 17 min / 11 min
To Cascade Brook Trail and Dodge Cut-off junction
0.79 mi (total 1.16) · ↑797 ↓4 ft · 47 min / 24 min
To Around Lonesome Lake Trail junction
0.15 mi (total 1.31) · ↑1 ↓20 ft · 5 min / 5 min
To Kinsman Ridge Trail junction
0.76 mi (total 2.07) · ↑707 ↓6 ft · 44 min / 23 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lonesome Lake Trailhead | Hi-Cannon Trail junction | 0.37 | 0.37 | 201 / 0 ft | 17 min / 11 min |
| Hi-Cannon Trail junction | Cascade Brook Trail and Dodge Cut-off junction | 0.79 | 1.16 | 797 / 4 ft | 47 min / 24 min |
| Cascade Brook Trail and Dodge Cut-off junction | Around Lonesome Lake Trail junction | 0.15 | 1.31 | 1 / 20 ft | 5 min / 5 min |
| Around Lonesome Lake Trail junction | Kinsman Ridge Trail junction | 0.76 | 2.07 | 707 / 6 ft | 44 min / 23 min |
↑ walking from Lonesome Lake Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Lonesome Lake Trailhead
Trailhead
Weekends (all seasons): Had space in all 4 reports, as late as 9 am.
Weekdays (all seasons): Full in 1 of 8 reports; others found space as late as 8:45 am.
Latest report, Wed, Sep 9: Nearly empty, then plenty of room.
Summit conditions
4 incidents recorded on this trail: incident database
Recent trip reports
2 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 2. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Sep 26MudWetDry
Water crossings: Bridges spanning major water crossings, easily passable.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 19MudWetDry
Water crossings: The only somewhat significant water crossings are spanned by bridges
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 9MudWetDry
Water crossings: Not an issue at all today.
Full report on NETC - Sun, Sep 6MudWetDry
Water crossings: No major crossings
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
30°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 30°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
59 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 59 mph and up to a 77% chance of rain. A shell blocks both.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 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
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.