Kinsmans

[KBW782]

Hello,

I am going to be hiking the Kinsmans, what is the best route. I tend to like more challenging trails, but would rather hike something easier if it had better views. Similarly, I would rather the best view be at the end. Any suggestions?

 

[HockeyPuck]

Hi KBW

I hiked the Kinsmans from Lafayette place campground (on 93 south) and enjoyed it very much. a bit up the trail you'll encounter lonesome lake and have great views of cannon and Lafayette ridge. As you ascend the Kinsman Ridge trail it gets steeper and more challenging (but not too difficult) and offers great outlooks along the way (mostly of Lafayette Ridge and lonesome lake).

There is an opening at the summit of North Kinsman, the summit South Kinsman is mostly wooded.

Edited. I got My north and south backwards.

 

[sapblatt]

Fishin' Jimmy

Going up from Lafayette to Lonesome Lake and picking up the Fishin' Jimmy Trail is considered to be pretty challenging. This hits the Kinsman Ridge Trail about a mile belwo North Kinsman. The best views are near North Kinsman (a side path goes to a ledge that is about 800 feet above Kinsman Pond!) and from the summit of South Kinsman.
A lot of people swear at the fishin' Jimmy Trail...some big steps, some water, etc. I liked it a lot!

Bu the way...welcome to VFTT - the best place to discuss and learn about hiking in the NE!

 

[dug]

I personally like the North Kinsman Trail from the backside of the mountain in Easton. Much less traffic on the trail. I've gone up via every approach, and this is the one that I seem to come back to most often. It is a very easy trail, but the views from Bald Peak (I think?) are outstanding on the way up.

 

[arghman]

If you go to S Kinsman from the north, make sure you don't stop at the first cairn which may appear to be the summit. I seem to remember a wooded area between this cairn and the "real" summit area... South Kinsman has an acre or two of open heathy habitat which is fun to explore (+ has lots of berries in season!), just stay off the vegetation.

 

[KBW782]

thanks

thanks everyone, exactly what I needed, looking forward to going!