BIGEarl
Well-known member
Loop hike via - Lonesome Lake Trail, Hi Cannon Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail (KRT), and Lonesome Lake Trail back out.
6 Miles, 2,350 Feet
There were only two of us on this hike, Jennifer and me. We started from the Lafayette Campground lot at approximately 9:30am with heavy clouds and light precipitation. The plan was for a round trip via Lonesome Lake, Hi Canon, and Kinsman Ridge trails. Everything was covered in snow and ice. While we were still in the lot preparing to leave we noticed a couple other hikers making their way from the far lot to the bridge leading to the trails. One went down on the ice. At that point we decided Stabilicers were a good idea.
By the time we reached Hi Cannon trail the rain started to fall heavier so I took a couple pictures and placed the camera in a plastic bag and inside my pack.
It doesn’t take much to make a fat guy sweat! The Hi Cannon trail isn’t long but it is very steep and rough. We got a real workout over the next couple miles. On the way, we passed the couple that we saw in the lot. It seemed they had no additional traction aids and perhaps had decided to turn back. The hiking was difficult. We continued on and soon the precipitation stopped. As we gained elevation the icing became more significant but we stayed with the stabilicers. A few hundred feet below the summit we came upon an area of vertical ledge. We stopped to briefly admire this section. Soon we came to the Hi Cannon ladders that would help us to the top of this ledge section. From there the trail generally followed the west slope of the summit, and was exposed to the west/northwest wind.
All the way up the Hi Cannon Trail we were following tracks from a group of three or four hikers, one with stabilicers. The Hi Cannon Trail was difficult, very icy, and seemed quite dangerous. We were considering alternate ways back down. Possibly the best choice would be the Kinsman Ridge – Lonesome Lake trails. This combination would take us back to our start with only a small price in extra distance. When we reached the KRT junction I noticed there were no tracks by hikers on the KRT. I was wondering what happened to the hikers we had been following when they suddenly appeared, coming back from the summit. From the reaction of one in the group, they evidently didn’t enjoy the Hi Cannon Trail and headed down the KRT instead – three bare-booting and one with the stabilicers. We had discussed the same exit plan. We continued on to the summit where the wind was extremely strong. Everything was decorated in rime ice. We were in the clouds. I started half-way up the tower and returned. With the wind, lack of view, and cold we decided a climb to the observation deck of the tower wasn’t necessary. We headed back to the Hi Cannon – KRT junction and stopped for a quick lunch. Along the way we came upon two hikers that had hiked KRT from the south. They indicated crampons were needed. So, we made the change. With our crampons we were ready for the KRT. It’s good we changed to the crampons. This trail is extremely steep, rough, and icy. I’m not sure it was better than taking the Hi Cannon back down, but it was different. We followed the KRT to the Lonesome Lake trail seeing no other hikers.
On the Lonesome Lake Trail we met one other hiker between the KRT junction and the lake. Upon reaching the lake we decided stabilicers were adequate for the remaining hike. We also started to see an endless parade of hikers headed for the Lonesome Lake Hut. One indicated a full house was expected. Big night at the hut!
With stabilicers in place we headed out, hiking a brisk pace. The remaining hike out was only a little over a mile of mild downhill grade. We stepped into the parking lot at approximately 2:30pm. We packed our things and headed for Dunkin Donuts in Lincoln and Jennifer’s post-hike coffee (and the lady’s room).
It was a good day. We made it to the summit and back without a problem. Neither of us went down even once. My water line froze briefly. I’ll probably change to nalgene bottles with insulating jackets for the remainder of the season.
Here are a few pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
6 Miles, 2,350 Feet
There were only two of us on this hike, Jennifer and me. We started from the Lafayette Campground lot at approximately 9:30am with heavy clouds and light precipitation. The plan was for a round trip via Lonesome Lake, Hi Canon, and Kinsman Ridge trails. Everything was covered in snow and ice. While we were still in the lot preparing to leave we noticed a couple other hikers making their way from the far lot to the bridge leading to the trails. One went down on the ice. At that point we decided Stabilicers were a good idea.
By the time we reached Hi Cannon trail the rain started to fall heavier so I took a couple pictures and placed the camera in a plastic bag and inside my pack.
It doesn’t take much to make a fat guy sweat! The Hi Cannon trail isn’t long but it is very steep and rough. We got a real workout over the next couple miles. On the way, we passed the couple that we saw in the lot. It seemed they had no additional traction aids and perhaps had decided to turn back. The hiking was difficult. We continued on and soon the precipitation stopped. As we gained elevation the icing became more significant but we stayed with the stabilicers. A few hundred feet below the summit we came upon an area of vertical ledge. We stopped to briefly admire this section. Soon we came to the Hi Cannon ladders that would help us to the top of this ledge section. From there the trail generally followed the west slope of the summit, and was exposed to the west/northwest wind.
All the way up the Hi Cannon Trail we were following tracks from a group of three or four hikers, one with stabilicers. The Hi Cannon Trail was difficult, very icy, and seemed quite dangerous. We were considering alternate ways back down. Possibly the best choice would be the Kinsman Ridge – Lonesome Lake trails. This combination would take us back to our start with only a small price in extra distance. When we reached the KRT junction I noticed there were no tracks by hikers on the KRT. I was wondering what happened to the hikers we had been following when they suddenly appeared, coming back from the summit. From the reaction of one in the group, they evidently didn’t enjoy the Hi Cannon Trail and headed down the KRT instead – three bare-booting and one with the stabilicers. We had discussed the same exit plan. We continued on to the summit where the wind was extremely strong. Everything was decorated in rime ice. We were in the clouds. I started half-way up the tower and returned. With the wind, lack of view, and cold we decided a climb to the observation deck of the tower wasn’t necessary. We headed back to the Hi Cannon – KRT junction and stopped for a quick lunch. Along the way we came upon two hikers that had hiked KRT from the south. They indicated crampons were needed. So, we made the change. With our crampons we were ready for the KRT. It’s good we changed to the crampons. This trail is extremely steep, rough, and icy. I’m not sure it was better than taking the Hi Cannon back down, but it was different. We followed the KRT to the Lonesome Lake trail seeing no other hikers.
On the Lonesome Lake Trail we met one other hiker between the KRT junction and the lake. Upon reaching the lake we decided stabilicers were adequate for the remaining hike. We also started to see an endless parade of hikers headed for the Lonesome Lake Hut. One indicated a full house was expected. Big night at the hut!
With stabilicers in place we headed out, hiking a brisk pace. The remaining hike out was only a little over a mile of mild downhill grade. We stepped into the parking lot at approximately 2:30pm. We packed our things and headed for Dunkin Donuts in Lincoln and Jennifer’s post-hike coffee (and the lady’s room).
It was a good day. We made it to the summit and back without a problem. Neither of us went down even once. My water line froze briefly. I’ll probably change to nalgene bottles with insulating jackets for the remainder of the season.
Here are a few pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
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