BIGEarl
Well-known member
March 23, 2011: Kinsmans
Trails: Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Summits: North Kinsman, South Kinsman
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
Sue has another vacation and plans on hiking. I expected to get home late on Tuesday so we decided on one of our smaller hikes for the day to have a later than usual start.
We pulled into the trailhead parking at Lonesome Lake Campground and found a few cars there from the night before (probably guests at Lonesome Lake Hut). We grabbed our things and took off. The wind was blowing pretty strong from the north but we knew once we were on-trail, the trees and terrain would provide plenty of shelter from the conditions.
The Lonesome Lake trail was covered in a ~2 inch layer of fresh powder that probably fell overnight. We hiked this one end-to-end on snowshoes. We hiked past the junction with Hi Cannon Trail and soon met a solo hiker descending. Soon there was a group of four, and then a father – son pair. I assume they were all hut guests on their way out. We continued our hike to the hut and found the trail to be in great shape. There’s very little ice and the packed snow provides great traction for snowshoes. At the hut there was no sign of activity at all. After a brief stop we were on our way on Fishin’ Jimmy. Above the hut there was no sign of recent traffic on the trail. It’s possible the trail hasn’t been hiked since the storm at the beginning of the week, or it’s simply drifted in since the last hikers passed through. We were working with a snow depth of ~6 inches and it was very dry powder. The conditions were perfect. Occasionally during the day, mainly during the first half of the hike, some very strong snow squalls came through producing blizzard-like conditions and limited visibility for brief periods.
From the hut to Kinsman Junction was a big surprise. The trail base was generally smooth and solid. There was a very small amount of ice on the multiple steep sections that lead to the ridge. We managed to complete the hike to Kinsman Junction with no problems on snowshoes and there was no need for any of the usual off-trail ice bypass diversions. We hit Kinsman Junction and started getting hit by a strong west-northwest wind. After adding a couple layers we were soon on the final climb to North Kinsman.
The scenery above Kinsman Junction was very different from below. The trees were loaded with snow and rime. The calendar says spring but Kinsman Ridge still says dead of winter. We had lots of wind, lots of cold, and lots of snow and ice – what a great place to be! I expected ice problems on the climb to Kinsman Junction but didn’t find any. I was now expecting ice problems on the ledge sections leading to North Kinsman, but there were none. We were able to lift the televators and just climb; there was no sliding back or fighting to establish a foot-hold in the snow. Soon we were on North Kinsman in a pretty strong breeze. As we made the final climb to the summit the cloud cover started to break up and we were enjoying periods of sun. We got a couple summit pictures and were on our way to South Kinsman.
Once we dropped off the summit of North Kinsman and were in the shelter of the trees we were again enjoying less windy conditions. It’s a short walk from North Kinsman to South Kinsman and the final climb to South Kinsman is a gradual one. Along the way we encountered some significant drifts in a few areas. The snow condition made for an easy walk between the peaks. Soon we were stepping out to the false summit and back into the high wind. Sue was in the lead and generally kept moving toward the summit. We continued through the short section of scrub and arrived to the large summit cairn. After a couple summit pictures and a few more of the views, we were on our way back toward a re-climb of North Kinsman and our exit hike.
We hit North Kinsman and stopped for refreshment before the final walk out. From the summit of North Kinsman to the trailhead is ~4.1 miles but the descent from the summit and the descent from Kinsman Junction can be tests. We set off and found the trail conditions for descending on snowshoes to be perfect. We were able to generally just walk back down to Kinsman Junction. From Kinsman Junction the Fishin’ Jimmy Trail is very steep in several areas. My usual approach would be crampons but the snowshoes were working great and we charged ahead. We had no problems at all on any of the steeps coming down from the ridge.
Soon we were passing the hut – still no sign of activity – and on our final walk to the trailhead. There was still a good amount of wind and as we did in the morning, we used the trail around the lake instead of walking across the lake. We thought staying in the trees would be a little more comfortable. The walk past the end of the lake and down to Lafayette Place Campground went fast and we were soon at the truck and packing for the trip south.
Sue’s current version of Vacation 2011 is off to a good start.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Summits: North Kinsman, South Kinsman
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
Sue has another vacation and plans on hiking. I expected to get home late on Tuesday so we decided on one of our smaller hikes for the day to have a later than usual start.
We pulled into the trailhead parking at Lonesome Lake Campground and found a few cars there from the night before (probably guests at Lonesome Lake Hut). We grabbed our things and took off. The wind was blowing pretty strong from the north but we knew once we were on-trail, the trees and terrain would provide plenty of shelter from the conditions.
The Lonesome Lake trail was covered in a ~2 inch layer of fresh powder that probably fell overnight. We hiked this one end-to-end on snowshoes. We hiked past the junction with Hi Cannon Trail and soon met a solo hiker descending. Soon there was a group of four, and then a father – son pair. I assume they were all hut guests on their way out. We continued our hike to the hut and found the trail to be in great shape. There’s very little ice and the packed snow provides great traction for snowshoes. At the hut there was no sign of activity at all. After a brief stop we were on our way on Fishin’ Jimmy. Above the hut there was no sign of recent traffic on the trail. It’s possible the trail hasn’t been hiked since the storm at the beginning of the week, or it’s simply drifted in since the last hikers passed through. We were working with a snow depth of ~6 inches and it was very dry powder. The conditions were perfect. Occasionally during the day, mainly during the first half of the hike, some very strong snow squalls came through producing blizzard-like conditions and limited visibility for brief periods.
From the hut to Kinsman Junction was a big surprise. The trail base was generally smooth and solid. There was a very small amount of ice on the multiple steep sections that lead to the ridge. We managed to complete the hike to Kinsman Junction with no problems on snowshoes and there was no need for any of the usual off-trail ice bypass diversions. We hit Kinsman Junction and started getting hit by a strong west-northwest wind. After adding a couple layers we were soon on the final climb to North Kinsman.
The scenery above Kinsman Junction was very different from below. The trees were loaded with snow and rime. The calendar says spring but Kinsman Ridge still says dead of winter. We had lots of wind, lots of cold, and lots of snow and ice – what a great place to be! I expected ice problems on the climb to Kinsman Junction but didn’t find any. I was now expecting ice problems on the ledge sections leading to North Kinsman, but there were none. We were able to lift the televators and just climb; there was no sliding back or fighting to establish a foot-hold in the snow. Soon we were on North Kinsman in a pretty strong breeze. As we made the final climb to the summit the cloud cover started to break up and we were enjoying periods of sun. We got a couple summit pictures and were on our way to South Kinsman.
Once we dropped off the summit of North Kinsman and were in the shelter of the trees we were again enjoying less windy conditions. It’s a short walk from North Kinsman to South Kinsman and the final climb to South Kinsman is a gradual one. Along the way we encountered some significant drifts in a few areas. The snow condition made for an easy walk between the peaks. Soon we were stepping out to the false summit and back into the high wind. Sue was in the lead and generally kept moving toward the summit. We continued through the short section of scrub and arrived to the large summit cairn. After a couple summit pictures and a few more of the views, we were on our way back toward a re-climb of North Kinsman and our exit hike.
We hit North Kinsman and stopped for refreshment before the final walk out. From the summit of North Kinsman to the trailhead is ~4.1 miles but the descent from the summit and the descent from Kinsman Junction can be tests. We set off and found the trail conditions for descending on snowshoes to be perfect. We were able to generally just walk back down to Kinsman Junction. From Kinsman Junction the Fishin’ Jimmy Trail is very steep in several areas. My usual approach would be crampons but the snowshoes were working great and we charged ahead. We had no problems at all on any of the steeps coming down from the ridge.
Soon we were passing the hut – still no sign of activity – and on our final walk to the trailhead. There was still a good amount of wind and as we did in the morning, we used the trail around the lake instead of walking across the lake. We thought staying in the trees would be a little more comfortable. The walk past the end of the lake and down to Lafayette Place Campground went fast and we were soon at the truck and packing for the trip south.
Sue’s current version of Vacation 2011 is off to a good start.
Pictures will follow.
