Lincoln Trail/ Kearsarge South

[skiguy]

I was trying to plan to climb Kearsarge South this coming weekend. Now that both Winslow and Rollins State Forests are now closed it looks like the Lincoln Trail might be the only way to climb this peak at this time of year. Does anyone have any Info on access to this peak during this time of year? Thanks!

 

[hikerfast]

as far as i know you can climb any trail on that mountain at any time

 

[RoySwkr]

I agree with Bob, if the park is closed there are no restrooms or fees but you are still allowed in.

If the road is gated, it adds maybe a mile from Winslow and more like 4 miles from Rollins but if you are lazy you might want to check.

If you want the longer walk, here's an option to Lincoln:
http://www.srkg.com/trail11map.htm

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Lincoln Trail is, IIRC, about 4 miles each way, much longer than the more "touristy" routes (about one mile each way, again without checking). Whether you consider that a bug or a feature is up to you (Lincoln is the trail I always use).

 

[GlennS]

I love hiking Mt Kearsarge. My favorite hike is to drive up the auto road to the parking lot. Pick up the Lincoln Trail at the left side of the parking lot and take it to the summit, take the Barlow Trail down to the other parking lot and the Wilmot Trail back up to the summit. It can gve you a pretty good workout if you push hard enough.

Once when the road was closed, I hiked up (and down) the auto road and I can't say I'd do it again. Too much pavement. In winter, it's a snowmobile trail.

One winter, I parked at the bottom of the road to Winslow and hiked up from there. The road was packed down from snowmobiles so it made for fast going. It seemed like the trails get a lot of winter use as they were well packed out. The Kearsarge summit was my first taste on winter on an exposed summit. Temps in the single digits....windswept.....lots of ice. I had so much fun....I'll have to do it again.

In my experience, the trails are open all the time. The park facilities are not.

 

[jn316]

The road to Winslow can be driven all the way to the park if there is no snow.
Two nice loops can be hiked by ascending the Winslow Trail, then, just to see a little of the other side of the mtn, descend the Rollins Trail to the parking lot at the top of the toll road (now closed) and then back up the Lincoln Trail along the ridge to the top, then descend the Barlow Trail back to Winslow Park.

 

[skiguy]

Guide Book is in the mail

Thanks folks this is some great info. I've been putting together different sources for this hike. I have the AMC Guide to S. New Hampshire coming in the mail to help firm things up. One last Question....Is the trailhead for the Lincoln trail off of Kearsarge Valley Road and/or where the Auto road starts; Or some place else? Thanks again.

 

[GlennS]

The Lincoln Trail starts on Kearsarge Valley Road. The parking area is on the right (east) side of the road as you are traveling to Winslow State Park. It is before the golf course which would be on the opposite side of the road.

Send me a PM if you want a Topo I created from a GPS track

 

[Andrew]

Whether or not the gates at Winslow/ Rollins get closed this winter- 603-485-2034 for NH Parks South Region Office. New regional super(s) lately with different patterns regarding gates.
Don't bother asking detailed trail questions from that office.