Options hiking the Kinsmans

[bintrepidhiker]

I've basically decided on a loop, but i'm not sure which way would be better for the accent or descent.
One way is to take the Kinsman Pond Trail to Kinsman Ridge, then summit both North and South Kinsman and descend to Lonesome Lake via Fishin Jimmy Trail then take Cascade Brook Trail to finish.
The other way is doing the reverse by taking Cascade Brook trail up to Lonesome Lake and take Fishin Jimmy Trail to the Kinsman Ridge then descend by Kinsman Pond Trail.
Any thoughts would be appreciated as well as where to park the car to start. The book is kinda vague when it comes to the starting points off the highway (i'll be coming up from the south).

 

[TDawg]

Kinsman loop

I did the loop starting and ending at "The Basin" parking lot. It's past The Flume parking on the right. Starting here takes you past Kinsman Falls and Rocky Glen Falls, as well as numerous other cascades en route to the main two falls. Also you get to check out the basin (a large pothole) if you never have before. I went up Basin-Cascades to Cascade Brook Tr. to Kinsman Pond to Kinsman Ridge. Then back down to The Basin via Fishin Jimmy to Cascade Brook to Basin-Cascades.

I'd imagine it would be better to go up, rather than down Kinsman Pond trail because part of it is a stream bed through a mossy boreal forest. It could be a little slippery going down I would think.

Getting to the trailhead at the basin could be tricky, there are numerous paths around this area. Basically, if I remember correctly, you go under 93, take a left off the paved path where you cross the Pemi on a bridge, as you come up to the basin you bear a little bit left and cross a side stream on another smaller bridge. The trailhead is right around there.

 

[Whiteman]

I second that emotion

I don't know about coming down Fishin' Jimmy, but going up the route TDawg laid out is one of the prettiest hikes I know. Kinsman Pond Trail is little used and deliciously wild. I believe this is where the color green was invented.

 

[Double Bow]

Generally speaking, I try to do a loop whenever possible. That's why when I first did the Kinsmans, I went up Fishin' Jimmy and down Kinsman Pond. That was a mistake. Kinsman Pond is a miserable trail. a large portion of it is a stream bed with tons of wet, mossy rocks and makes for slow slippery going.

A loop is great when both legs are reasonably enjoyable trails. This is not the case here. You will probably have a much better time if you eith go up and back on Fishin' Jimmy or you go up FJ and have a car spot that will enable you to go down Mt Kinsman trail (or vise-versa). That's my two cents. Take 'em or leave 'em.

 

[Dugan]

Yes, Kinsman Pond Trail is wet and slippery for a descent. Even knowing this, I still usually opt for KPT for the descent. One of these days I'll learn...

Another option is to use Lonesome Lake Trail rather than Cascade Brook for the approach. Parking for Lonesome Lake Trail is at Lafayette campground. WMG says 1.6 miles in from Lafayette.

 

[TDawg]

Yea, parts of the Fishin Jimmy are a little steep but not too too bad. Wooden steps are put into place in a couple spots.

I also agree this could be where green was invented a very nice mossy forest area

 

[hockeycrew]

I remember fishin jimmy also being a wet miserable trail. I did it in July (?) of last year and definately remember referring to Kinsman as Swamp mountain. I did the Kinsmans in one day then did Cannon (including the cannon balls, one which is a hundred highest) the next.

 

[scrambler]

On a suggestion by Waumbek we did the very loop your looking at on July 23rd. Kinsman Pond Trail is very pretty, It follows along a brook with small falls and cascades. Unbelievably green. It was rough in spots but the grade was good and not to wet. Fishin' Jimmy, while steeper is in better shape and drier for a decent. We found Basin-Cascade to our surprise rough going from Lonesome to the Cascade Brook trail but the grade was negligible and gave our legs a little rest.
Also, even though we got a very late start 1:00pm we had no problem finding parking at the Basin on the west side of 93, where the Flume and Lafayette, as expected, were solid.
HTH

 

[Tom Rankin]

I'm going to be at LL hut the night of 8/25. During the day, we're going to do the Kinsman's. The next day, NE Cannon Ball and Cannon, then out.

Thanks for the info!