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After driving through a blizzard in Franconia Notch on the way to the trail around 8am on Saturday, we were happy to have somewhat clear skies and 26 degrees at the Mt. Kinsman trailhead. We followed the blue blazed trail for the first half mile or so, and came to a split which proved confusing. After a few minutes of deliberation among the group, we took the uphill (right) path into the woods rather than the gravel road straight ahead. Although it was a well trodden trail, this turned out to be not the official route. It wound around, with many splits heading in different directions, and after about a half mile came out back on the main path, which is a wide gravel logging road. It didn't really cost us extra time or distance, and was more interesting than the road, but it was suprising how poorly marked the split was. If you're going up this trail, stay left at this split, turn right on the gravel road a few yards beyond, and you'll pass the sugar house shortly.
The trail itself was in excellent condition - dry gravel up to Bald Knob (which was very nice - open ledges with great views of the valley below), and a mix of gravel and snow up to the steeps. Once in the steep area, there was a lot of ice, and microspikes proved to be extremely helpful, during ascent and descent. It had been cold for a couple days before our hike, so everything was frozen solid. The ice and occasional old monorail provided good traction, and there was no mud or soft snow anywhere. About 1/3 mile before the junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail, we came into the rime-covered trees, which were beautiful. This continued to the summit of N. Kinsman, where the ledges were almost completely protected from any wind, and were calm and warm in the strong sun. The views to Franconia Ridge were amazing.
The trail to S. Kinsman was more of the same - a lot of ice and occasional monorail, which the Spikes handled well. Despite the forecast of 30 mph winds, we never saw anything more than 10 mph, and only then at the South Kinsman summit. The trip back included a few small areas of soft ground from the mid-day sun, and Spikes again were very helpful going down the steeps. Overall, an excellent trail in very good condition, but bring the traction.
The trail itself was in excellent condition - dry gravel up to Bald Knob (which was very nice - open ledges with great views of the valley below), and a mix of gravel and snow up to the steeps. Once in the steep area, there was a lot of ice, and microspikes proved to be extremely helpful, during ascent and descent. It had been cold for a couple days before our hike, so everything was frozen solid. The ice and occasional old monorail provided good traction, and there was no mud or soft snow anywhere. About 1/3 mile before the junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail, we came into the rime-covered trees, which were beautiful. This continued to the summit of N. Kinsman, where the ledges were almost completely protected from any wind, and were calm and warm in the strong sun. The views to Franconia Ridge were amazing.
The trail to S. Kinsman was more of the same - a lot of ice and occasional monorail, which the Spikes handled well. Despite the forecast of 30 mph winds, we never saw anything more than 10 mph, and only then at the South Kinsman summit. The trip back included a few small areas of soft ground from the mid-day sun, and Spikes again were very helpful going down the steeps. Overall, an excellent trail in very good condition, but bring the traction.
