btausend
New member
Date of Hike: Mar. 14, 2013
Trail Conditions: Kinsman Ridge Trail is in terrible condition just like docross said in his trail conditions from yesterday. There are post holes everywhere. The cold weather since the rain a few days ago has made the snow pack solid. I used Microspikes car to car and didn't post hole once. Once I got to the lookout point the trail did improve. There was less post holes. There were snow showers this morning when I hiked it and there was about an inch of new snow near the top. The lower part of the trail does have some exposed rocks and roots. I did see a few small ice flows along the steep part of the trail where it is always wet during the summer months.
Special Equipment Used: I used Microspikes car to car. Climbing up was no problem at all. On my way down with the falling snow I couldn't always see my own tracks from the climb up. I also couldn't always see what I was stepping on. A couple of times I lost my footing coming down the step section of the trail. Crampons would probably be a better choice going down to get a better bite. It would be tough using snowshoes because the trail is so uneven.
Comments: Climbing the observation tower also required some light traction. I didn't see anyone on the trail this morning, but it was early on a Thursday.
Brian
Trail Conditions: Kinsman Ridge Trail is in terrible condition just like docross said in his trail conditions from yesterday. There are post holes everywhere. The cold weather since the rain a few days ago has made the snow pack solid. I used Microspikes car to car and didn't post hole once. Once I got to the lookout point the trail did improve. There was less post holes. There were snow showers this morning when I hiked it and there was about an inch of new snow near the top. The lower part of the trail does have some exposed rocks and roots. I did see a few small ice flows along the steep part of the trail where it is always wet during the summer months.
Special Equipment Used: I used Microspikes car to car. Climbing up was no problem at all. On my way down with the falling snow I couldn't always see my own tracks from the climb up. I also couldn't always see what I was stepping on. A couple of times I lost my footing coming down the step section of the trail. Crampons would probably be a better choice going down to get a better bite. It would be tough using snowshoes because the trail is so uneven.
Comments: Climbing the observation tower also required some light traction. I didn't see anyone on the trail this morning, but it was early on a Thursday.
Brian
