Kinsmans | February 21, 2021

Peak: Kinsman North, Kinsman South, Bald
Trails: Mt. Kinsman Trail, Bald Peak Spur, Kinsman Pond Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Basin Cascades Trail
Mileage: 10.77
Elevation Gain: 3,992′
Weather: Partly cloudy, 15(F), light breeze, humidity 69%.
Ground Conditions: In general, most of the people we saw today were wearing snowshoes. After leaving trailhead, it was a straight forward climb up the Mt. Kinsman trail with a few divots from either bare boots but no major post-holing sections. On the way up Katie and I stopped by bald for some views early in the day and the trail was nice and neat for the most part. After linking up with Kinsman ridge the quality of the trail was great and largely due to the heavy snowshoe traffic. Those without were able to use light traction on the trail, but we noticed plenty of deep steps and holes off trail in the event people were letting one another pass. Aside from drifting snow, the conditions at the summits and between were straightforward.

We decided to opt out of the f’in jimmy trail and took Kinsman pond. To get started on the hike down Kinsman pond, we followed a set of tracks along the pond until we met up with the trail which was mainly soft powder. About 5 snowshoers have gone over the Kinsman pond trail at this point, but it was still fairly soft and unconsolidated – would recommend snowshoes for this section at least. After linking up with Cascade Brook, the trail was more packed out and smooth moving, but occasional soft spots one may want to be mindful of.
Notes: It was fun to mix it up a little bit today and visit the Kinsmans from the back. It was a little chilly but worth it to get out there and get a few more February peaks.