Date of Hike: 12/29/12
Kinsman Ridge Trail: 4.4 miles (2,200 elevation gain)
Trip Report:
- I had a free morning on Saturday so I decided a quick hike up the Kinsman Ridge Trail was a good option until I reached the trailhead and noticed that it was going to be a tougher hike than I expected. First off the trail info sign points the wrong way, it say the Kinsman Ridge Trail is to the right and it's not, it's left of the sign where the woods are, to the left of the glades. Second, I thought this trail would have seen a decent amount of traffic the day before but I was wrong as there was only one barebooter who ventured on the trail. So it was time to break out the snowshoes and plow my way up to the summit of Cannon Mountain.
- I like the Kinsman Ridge Trail, it's very steep and gets you to where you want to go fast, even in an unbroken trail. Also there are excellent views to be had the final half mile and on the summit observation tower.
- I made sure today to take a bunch of pictures as I ascended, this helped me out with pacing as I never got to tired from snapping pictures.
- When I reached the glade section I bumped into three other hikers that had come up the glades. It was nice to see other hikers out there taking advantage of the weather before the storm came rolling in.
- After passing by the other hikers I made my way up through the woods and eventually came out below the summit where the views were pretty incredible of the Franconia Ridge across the way.
- It was not too windy which made the summit observation tower a pleasant experience. I took off my snowshoes and headed up the stairs to the top, I could have left them on since the stairs were all packed with snow. At the top I took a bunch of pictures and ate some food before starting my descent.
- Just before heading back into the woods I ran into Steve (sorry if I got your name wrong) He had just broken out the Tripyramids the day before via the Pine Bend Brook Trail and was with the two other hikers who had come up the glades. It was nice running into you on the trails!
- The rest of the descent was fast and furious as I plowed my way down the mountain. I love descending off Cannon in the snow, lots of fun sliding down the steep sections with reckless abandon.
- I came across another six hikes all heading up, I hope they were able to get some views before the weather came rolling in. By the time I made it back to the car it started snowing and by the time I drove through the notch it was a full on snow storm!
- I couldn't have timed the hike any better and was thrilled to get in one last hike with great views to end the year hiking for me!
Kinsman Ridge Trail: 4.4 miles (2,200 elevation gain)
Trip Report:
- I had a free morning on Saturday so I decided a quick hike up the Kinsman Ridge Trail was a good option until I reached the trailhead and noticed that it was going to be a tougher hike than I expected. First off the trail info sign points the wrong way, it say the Kinsman Ridge Trail is to the right and it's not, it's left of the sign where the woods are, to the left of the glades. Second, I thought this trail would have seen a decent amount of traffic the day before but I was wrong as there was only one barebooter who ventured on the trail. So it was time to break out the snowshoes and plow my way up to the summit of Cannon Mountain.
- I like the Kinsman Ridge Trail, it's very steep and gets you to where you want to go fast, even in an unbroken trail. Also there are excellent views to be had the final half mile and on the summit observation tower.
- I made sure today to take a bunch of pictures as I ascended, this helped me out with pacing as I never got to tired from snapping pictures.
- When I reached the glade section I bumped into three other hikers that had come up the glades. It was nice to see other hikers out there taking advantage of the weather before the storm came rolling in.
- After passing by the other hikers I made my way up through the woods and eventually came out below the summit where the views were pretty incredible of the Franconia Ridge across the way.
- It was not too windy which made the summit observation tower a pleasant experience. I took off my snowshoes and headed up the stairs to the top, I could have left them on since the stairs were all packed with snow. At the top I took a bunch of pictures and ate some food before starting my descent.
- Just before heading back into the woods I ran into Steve (sorry if I got your name wrong) He had just broken out the Tripyramids the day before via the Pine Bend Brook Trail and was with the two other hikers who had come up the glades. It was nice running into you on the trails!
- The rest of the descent was fast and furious as I plowed my way down the mountain. I love descending off Cannon in the snow, lots of fun sliding down the steep sections with reckless abandon.
- I came across another six hikes all heading up, I hope they were able to get some views before the weather came rolling in. By the time I made it back to the car it started snowing and by the time I drove through the notch it was a full on snow storm!
- I couldn't have timed the hike any better and was thrilled to get in one last hike with great views to end the year hiking for me!
Bottom of the Kinsman Ridge Trail
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Looking down the Kinsman Ridge Trail
Ascending the Kinsman Ridge Trail
View from the glades
Crossing the glades
Ski Glades
The steep Kinsman Ridge Trail
Obstructed view from the Kinsman Ridge Trail
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Echo Lake
Echo Lake
Top of the glades
Top of the glades
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Cannon Mountain summit from the Kinsman Ridge Trail Outlook
Mount Lafayette and Lincoln
Franconia Ridge
Franconia Notch
The tourist part of the Kinsman Ridge Trail
Trail Junction
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Cannon Balls and the Kinsman Mountain Range
Kinsman Ridge
Franconia Notch
Franconia Ridge
Mount Liberty
Mount Lafayette
Mount Lincoln
Cannon Mountain Observation Tower
Cannon Mountain Observation Tower
Top of the chair lift
Looking out to Mittersill Peak
Cliffs at the north end of Franconia Notch
Cannon Mountain Observation Tower
Sun being swallowed up by a gray lifeless sky
Stairs on the tower
Mount Lafayette
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Kinsman Ridge Trail
Northern terminus of the Kinsman Ridge Trail (trail goes into the woods on the left)
