Cannon -- long time since I last climbed it in summer

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I rarely hike Cannon in summer. While it is a short hike (4-6 miles rt, depending on route) all three trails are too rough for an easy day, and the hike is too short for a hard day. Today I wanted to do a short hike, but wanted to change from the usual Osceola or Tecumseh (both short, both close to home). I realized that I had never hiked the Dodge Cutoff. I am not serious about redlining, but I do like to explore trails I have not been on.

I went up the Lonesome lake Trail to the lake, then had to look around a bit to find the start of the Dodge Cutoff. After finding it I found it in poor condition, overgrown and with a poor tread as it is obviously very lightly used. I almost lost it at one blowdown, and later I really lost it and followed a herd path that rejoined it. I like less used trails so I am not complaining, just describing conditions!

I had used the High Cannon Trail back in 1997, and a few years later did a loop which involved going down that trail I knew it was steep and rough; I had forgotten just how steep and rough it was It seemed to go on forever Close to its junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail I met a family with two twins (aged 9) doing their first 4K ; if they could do it so could I.

On top of the firetower at the summit I met a rather large group who had gone up by the tramway and were going down the same way, they were surprised and full of admiration that I had actually walked up and was planning to walk down. A mixture of fog and clouds spoiled the views in all directions, but all of Franconia Ridge was visible in the mist except for the summit of Lafayette. To the west the distant peaks in Vermont were sort of visible through the fog or haze.

After a short rest it was time to go down. I took the Kinsman Ridge Trail to the Lonesome Lake Trail, it was at least as steep and rough as my memory of it The Lonesome Lake Trail to the lake was much easier, and I went to the hut for a lunch of potato soup and bread.

 

[Amicus]

My daughter and I followed exactly your route last summer, with the sole difference of adding the short detour from the Kinsman/Lonesome Lake junction up to NE Cannonball and back. It's fun to relive a hike this way while it's still fresh in your memory.

Dodge Cutoff was clearly a lightly-hiked track last year but not as bad as you describe, once we found its beginning. That kind of trail can go to seed awfully fast.

 

[DougPaul]

I came down Hi-Cannon to Dodge-Cutoff several years ago around dusk. Don't remember any undue difficulties in following the trail. Perhaps the neglect is recent.

Doug

 

[woodstrider]

Profile aka Cannon

I hiked up to Cannon for the first time on 7/2 and I was really struck with the beautiful views. I think one of the main reasons for the great scenery is that this mountain is situated at the boarder of a deep glacial valley and is somewhat lower in elevation then the surrounding peaks. So instead of looking out at the a rolling vista of ridges and lower peaks you are surrounded by the jagged mountains of two ranges. In my opinion it is one of the most rewarding views that I have gotten from Northeast- maybe rivalled by the Grafton Notch views from Old Speck- though I am sure many will contend this opinion. It was only a half-day hike for me- but so worth it- I would recommend it to anyone. And if you don't want to hike up , take the tramway- so worth it. But I quess the state of NH knows this as there is a large viewing platform on the summit.

 

[NewHampshire]

Cannon Mt. is also my favorite "overall" mountain (not necessarily views, but overall.) Great views. The ugliness of its mass is pretty darn cool. Rugged trails? Sure, But I thought that was supposed to be the fun part . Short? Yup, this way you can take a nice 45 minute nap on the cliffs and still have plenty of time for food at the summit .

Brian