Whiteman
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S. Kinsman, N. Kinsman & the Cannonballs from The Basin, 9/4/04
Having done Moosilauke last Saturday (in the clouds), I decided to continue my peak-bagging along the same general ridge, with the Kinsmans, the Cannonballs, and with an option on Cannon. About 8:15 at the trailhead at the Basin, with nobody around. Greeted by a few black-throated blue warblers, very nice. Climbed the Basin-Cascade Trail, then the Cascade Trail to the Kinsman Pond Trail. This is a popular trail, and if you like roots and waterfalls, you won't be disappointed.
Turning onto the Kinsman Pond Trail, it immediately narrowed. This trail has not seen much in the way of maintenance lately, nor does it see much traffic. I was following one set of day-old footprints + dog. The trail has some old log bridges, which are still pretty functional, and a lot of moist areas, but nothing too slippery. As it nears the top by Kinsman Pond you need to watch your step for mudholes (fortunately my reflexes got me out before I went past the ankle). The trail is exquisite with lots of little streams, acres of moss and algae, and hemlock & birch filtered light, which happened to be further softened by the cloud I was climbing into.
About two hours to Kinsman Pond, a quick chat with the caretaker, and off along the Kinsman Ridge Trail, south to the Kinsmans. This is moderate to fairly steep in places, but not long, and the ridge along to S. Kinsman goes quickly. A nice little family of grouse greeted me on the way to and then chatted again on the way back from S. Kinsman. Sadly, I repeated my cloud experience from the week before, and could see absolutely nothing from the tops of these two peaks.
Continuing on to the Cannonballs: As one fellow I chatted with aptly described it, it is not a view trail, but the trail itself is lovely. Varied terrain, lots of moss on both sides, little pools here and there, not too much mud, and the damp parts are not really slippery. I was feeling good about my time, assuming I was coming down the last of the Cannonballs, and met three folks studying their map. It turned out I still had one more, the Big One, which I had eyed earlier and assumed was a ridge on Cannon. Nope. Those two little Cannonballs on the Cannon end of the ridge are not so little!
Since it was approaching 2:30, I opted to save Cannon for another day, choosing dinner in Boston instead. Descended the Lonesome Lake Trail to Lonesome Lake. Lots of folks here. Trail was moderate at first, but eased out pretty quickly. From there it was the easy and well-maintained Cascade and Basin-Cascade Trails to the parking lot, arriving around 4:30.
You need a camera for this trip, and leave extra time for photos and nature appreciation.
Pictures: www.whitelief.com/kinsman.htm
In conclusion: Climb the Kinsmans from The Basin, and take the Kinsman Pond Trail. It's a treat!
-David
Having done Moosilauke last Saturday (in the clouds), I decided to continue my peak-bagging along the same general ridge, with the Kinsmans, the Cannonballs, and with an option on Cannon. About 8:15 at the trailhead at the Basin, with nobody around. Greeted by a few black-throated blue warblers, very nice. Climbed the Basin-Cascade Trail, then the Cascade Trail to the Kinsman Pond Trail. This is a popular trail, and if you like roots and waterfalls, you won't be disappointed.
Turning onto the Kinsman Pond Trail, it immediately narrowed. This trail has not seen much in the way of maintenance lately, nor does it see much traffic. I was following one set of day-old footprints + dog. The trail has some old log bridges, which are still pretty functional, and a lot of moist areas, but nothing too slippery. As it nears the top by Kinsman Pond you need to watch your step for mudholes (fortunately my reflexes got me out before I went past the ankle). The trail is exquisite with lots of little streams, acres of moss and algae, and hemlock & birch filtered light, which happened to be further softened by the cloud I was climbing into.
About two hours to Kinsman Pond, a quick chat with the caretaker, and off along the Kinsman Ridge Trail, south to the Kinsmans. This is moderate to fairly steep in places, but not long, and the ridge along to S. Kinsman goes quickly. A nice little family of grouse greeted me on the way to and then chatted again on the way back from S. Kinsman. Sadly, I repeated my cloud experience from the week before, and could see absolutely nothing from the tops of these two peaks.
Continuing on to the Cannonballs: As one fellow I chatted with aptly described it, it is not a view trail, but the trail itself is lovely. Varied terrain, lots of moss on both sides, little pools here and there, not too much mud, and the damp parts are not really slippery. I was feeling good about my time, assuming I was coming down the last of the Cannonballs, and met three folks studying their map. It turned out I still had one more, the Big One, which I had eyed earlier and assumed was a ridge on Cannon. Nope. Those two little Cannonballs on the Cannon end of the ridge are not so little!
Since it was approaching 2:30, I opted to save Cannon for another day, choosing dinner in Boston instead. Descended the Lonesome Lake Trail to Lonesome Lake. Lots of folks here. Trail was moderate at first, but eased out pretty quickly. From there it was the easy and well-maintained Cascade and Basin-Cascade Trails to the parking lot, arriving around 4:30.
You need a camera for this trip, and leave extra time for photos and nature appreciation.
Pictures: www.whitelief.com/kinsman.htm
In conclusion: Climb the Kinsmans from The Basin, and take the Kinsman Pond Trail. It's a treat!
-David
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