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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Cannon Mountain, Northeast Cannonball, North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH
Trails
Trails: Kinsman Ridge Trail, Rim Trail, Kinsman Pond Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Basin-Cascades Trail, Pemi Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 3, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the tram lot, plenty of room. A few folks appear to have parked in the dirt lot by the trailhead, I should have done that :) 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The crossing at the bottom of the Kinsman Pond Trail to the Cascade Brook Trail was a little tricky, but rock-hoppable. The crossing at the old bridge site at the Cascade Brook/Basin-Cascade junction was quite tricky, but also rock-hoppable with extreme care. The WMG 29th edition suggested this bridge was due to be replaced, but it's been 4 years. I'd hate to see that crossing with any significant water flow! 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: See my notes below. Too many for this box... 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw several on the Kinsmans enjoying themselves. This route is strenuous, but manageable overall. Just watch out on the descent to Coppermine Col from Cannon. Water is hit-or-miss along the ridge of course. 
Bugs
Bugs: Nope! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Lost my sanity on Kinsman Pond Trail. 
 
Comments
Comments: Add my voice to the list of those amazed at how terrible the condition of the Kinsman Ridge Trail up to Cannon is. It is horribly eroded, washed out, slippery, and just generally a complete mess. In places the trailbed is 5 FEET below the forest floor. A couple pretty significant mud bogs between the ledgy knob at the final summit climb, where massive trail-widening is occurring. A couple bog bridges would cure this issue, or we can just let the trail keep getting wider and wider and wider... Down to Coppermine Col was its usual steep and wet self. Just take care, it does eventually end. Across the Cannonballs is also the usual rollercoaster with some wet spots, some steep spots, just generally rugged. Most of the bog bridges through the center section have been lost to nature, though some of the ones near Kinsman Junction have been replaced, and many more nearby are still in decent shape. No issues across the Kinsmans that I recall.

Kinsman Pond Trail's upper half is a mess. I only read the White Mountain Guide Online description before hiking this (read the book itself, the description is far more informative!), and it did not mention that there are many lengthy sections of the upper half that run straight down the middle of a stream. Try not to fall into the pools of water alongside the slippery, pointy rocks! To say it was tedious is an understatement. The bottom half was a nice change, and especially below the cascade was actually really nice walking on a soft trailbed. The crossing at the end to reach the Cascade Brook Trail took a minute to find a dry(ish) route across.

Cascade Brook Trail was also fairly easy walking, but the crossing to access the Basin-Cascades Trail (or the bottom of the Cascade Brook Trail) at the old bridge site was interesting to get across. Some pretty fast-moving water in there. The Basin-Cascades Trail was pretty nice though, some roughish footing but nice cascades along the way. I saw the most people of the day (aside from atop Cannon) along this trail. The final 4 miles on the Pemi Trail back to near the Tram Lot was a nice alternative to that blasted bike path. Easy grades, good footing overall, and quiet. Just a couple easily-navigated blowdowns between Lafayette Campground and the Northern end, one easy step-over, one slight duck-under.

Finally finished my 5th round atop Cannon, but yet again I got skunked on views from the top. I think Cannon is just cursed for me, 0-5 on any real vftt. Clear skies to start, but the clouds rolled in/over during the time I was up there. And with the summit area mobbed with tourists (and some were rather rude ones at that), I got out of there pretty fast. The summit cleared by the time I made it to Coppermine Col. Again. Sigh. At least I got some peak-a-boo views from the ledge on the way to Cannon, between waves of clouds. The rest of the day was gorgeous, with comfortable hiking temps (just needed a light jacket for stays on the summits), light winds, and clear skies. Saw easily into Vermont and perhaps the ADKs (wouldn't know what I was looking at if so), as well as all around the Whites. Fall hiking is always so awesome!

Note: there was a couple tiny patches of ice, mid-day, on the North side of North Kinsman. Traction season is coming!  
Name
Name: madmattd 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-10-05 
Link
Link: https://mattshikes.blogspot.com/ 
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