Kinsman Ridge trail to Cannon Mtn

[grouseking]

Possibly going to do this Saturday. Has anyone ever done this during the winter? I hear there is a lot of snow, 58 inches at Lonesome Thursday morning..... Should I consider snowshoes, or crampons, maybe both just to be safe. Also, I see that this trail crosses a ski trail a few times, and parallels it. That concerns me. Am I going to be dodging skiers all day? If so, no thanks. Been there, done that

grouseking

 

[MichaelJ]

The trail passes through "Kinsman Glade", not a regular trail but a tree run, which is currently listed as open, but I'm not sure how many skiers actually brave it as it's listed as a black diamond and is not for the faint of heart.

After that section, which is some switchbacking through the glade then following it to its start, about a few hundred feet before where the glade entrance is from the real ski trail, the trail takes a left turn and then stays far away from anything ski area related until you hit the very top.

You may see a few skiers, but I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. Perhaps someone with experience tree-skiing Cannon can comment more?

If you start here and go forward I have pics of the glade this past January.

Make sure when you top out on the east peak to take the side trail to the left out to the tops of the cliffs for the best views of Franconia Ridge.

 

[MichaelJ]

Oh, and I'd bring both snowshoes and crampons, definitely.

 

[peakbagger]

Just in case you consider hiking in from the south via Lonesome lake, both Hi Cannon and the Kinsman Ridge trail tend to fill up with snow and can be a major effort to break out. Years ago it took us and hour and a half to go from the col to the top of the ridge (.4 miles?).

 

[Chip]

I did it last winter. I don't think it's too popular in winter so be prepared to break trail. There are some steep PUDS that you might use crampons on, but are probably doable without. Not my favorite section of trail. I, personally, wouldn't do it again solo in winter.

 

[Waumbek]

Snowshoes, definitely. Take the big ones or the tails.

 

[mtnpa]

The trail passes through "Kinsman Glade", not a regular trail but a tree run, which is currently listed as open, but I'm not sure how many skiers actually brave it as it's listed as a black diamond and is not for the faint of heart...

Kinsman Glade: Ski good or eat wood. You won't see much skier traffic.

 

[Michelle]

I was on Kinsman Ridge Tr. last Sunday, didn't see 1 skiier. Trail (then) was broken out and we used crampons.....sounds like snowshoes are needed now. The only (can sometimes be) tricky area is above the cliff/view, the trail dips down a bit and then you have the final ascent up towards the summit, I've been on this trail in winter in foggy weather and finding the trail can be tough. The wind whips through, erasing any trace of steps and blazes are under the snow covered rocks, but as long as you can see where you're headed.....it's fine! Have fun!

 

[DougPaul]

Just in case you consider hiking in from the south via Lonesome lake, both Hi Cannon and the Kinsman Ridge trail tend to fill up with snow and can be a major effort to break out. Years ago it took us and hour and a half to go from the col to the top of the ridge (.4 miles?).

One should also note that KRT from Coppermine Col is very steep (you need to use you hands, even in summer). Might be a bit difficult to break in deep snow.

Doug

 

[grouseking]

No to Cannon, yes to Greenleaf

Thanks everybody. I have very limited time, and set a 1pm turn around, no questions asked with that.... So I've decided to skip Cannon. I want to have a lot of time to hike a 4k, and I just don't. Plus, I always hear its deceivingly steep. I think I'm going to play on the Greenleaf trail, and see how far I get up that, before my 1pm turn around time. Goal, Eagle Pass, thats only 1.5 miles or so....and if I make it to the hut, cool. I might be breaking trail, so we'll see how that goes. But I don't have to worry about skiers, or any major goals of hitting the top of the mtn..so this works for me.

So, has anyone like Greenleaf trail in winter?

grouseking

 

[RoySwkr]

I have hiked Cannon from Tramway in winter several times, in years past never saw a skier or tracks. But on Brutus Day the area was overrun with skiers such that it was hard to find the hiking trail, and it was hard packed from skis and quite slippery.

It is not an easy way up, but may be the easiest The most fun was using the old ski trail from Coppermine Falls but that is technically illegal since at the top you hike on ski trails.

 

[Waumbek]

Thanks everybody. I have very limited time, and set a 1pm turn around, no questions asked with that.... So I've decided to skip Cannon. I want to have a lot of time to hike a 4k, and I just don't. Plus, I always hear its deceivingly steep. I think I'm going to play on the Greenleaf trail, and see how far I get up that, before my 1pm turn around time. Goal, Eagle Pass, thats only 1.5 miles or so....and if I make it to the hut, cool. I might be breaking trail, so we'll see how that goes. But I don't have to worry about skiers, or any major goals of hitting the top of the mtn..so this works for me.

So, has anyone like Greenleaf trail in winter?

grouseking

Good plan, especially the flexibility about seeing how far you get. Eagle Pass is a very special destination, summer or winter, a true "liminal" space between the busy Notch and the back country, with some good views west in winter. If you get beyond that, so much the better, but no loss if you don't. Win-win.

In the Lafayette Place parking lot (east side) for OBP and FW today, there were a meager four cars. The lot had only a strip lane plowed, on the south half; I would not have wanted to go in w/o 4WD. That very popular loop trail was barely broken out, so I would not expect Greenleaf to be broken out by tomorrow morning unless the climbers have gone up some or all of it today. You may be trail-breaking. I'll look for the trip report. Soar with the eagles.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Marc Howes, Dave (Enapai) and I did the Kinsmans today -- crampons completely unnecessary. Snowshoes absolutely necessary. With tails. Powder up to 2 feet, with deeper drifts.

Marc's doing Tecumseh right now Animal!

Tim

 

[Darl58]

Which trail did you go up? From Lafayette Campground??
I'm heading up tomorrow AM... Did you break out both peaks??

If so, Thanks!!!!

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Which trail did you go up? From Lafayette Campground??
I'm heading up tomorrow AM... Did you break out both peaks??

If so, Thanks!!!!

Lonesome Lake, Fishin' Jimmy, KRT all-the-way to South Kinsman -- it's in the trail conditions. I'll write a full report after dinner.

Tim

 

[Darl58]

Read it after I asked... Sweet!!

Great pics too!

Looking forward to being in winter wonderland tomorrow!

Looks like you had an awesome day!

 

[grouseking]

Ok, so Hancock Notch it is....

So much for Greenleaf trail...but at least I'm going with someone, and at least there is a ton of snow in the woods, and at least the trail will prob be broken!! Not going all the way to Hancock notch, possibly to the Cedar junction and then if time allows, up towards the where the turnoff for the Hancocks are. Pics and report later!

grouseking