Today was supposed to be a hike to North and South Kinsman via the Basin Cascades, Cascade Brook, Kinsman Pond and Kinsman Ridge trails. This is a long hike, about 12 miles. It was also the first time either of us, Tony and myself, have ever used our snowshoes. The temps were very cold and windy and the first trail, the Kinsman Pond trail, was not entirely broken out which made the ascent much slower and longer that it should have been. In the end we didn't make it to either summit although we probably could have made the summit of North Kinsman. We decided to bail due to the harsh winter conditions and time. We didn't reach Kinsman Pond until about 1pm, by the time we go to the other side of the pond is was 130pm and the cold and wind was taking it's toll on both of us.
Heading over to the Basin
Bridge to the Basin
The Basin in winter
The Basin in winter
Basin-Cascade Trailhead
Basin-Cascade trail
This frozen stream made a lot of noise when we crossed it. I was a bit nervous crossing it.
This trail was hardly used
About an hour into the hike we decided bare-booting it was not working out so well so we put on our showshoes
Snowshoes made all the difference in this deep snow
1.5 hours into the hike we hit the cut-off for the Lonesome Lake Hut
Another frozen stream crossing
The snow was knee deep in some areas
The scenery is beautiful in winter
Kinsman Pond 3,750'
Summit of North Kinsman - So Close
Me @ Kinsman Pond
A high school hiking club was at the Kinsman Pond shelter
Fishin' Jimmy Trail
Cannon Mountain in the distance
Me with Cannon
Lonesome Lake Hut - Open in winter
Fishin' Jimmy Trail sign
Lonesome Lake Hut
Hut sign
Inside Lonesome Lake Hut
Tony @ Lonesome Lake 2,700'
From this point on I didn't take any more photos. It was getting to cold and we didn't want to stop walking. We just wanted to get off the mountain and get to the Woodstock for some food and drink. We didn't summit which is unfortunate but we still hiked a good 10 miles and saw some beautiful scenery.
I do not have all the stats or GPS track for this hike. The track is still on my GPS unit, I will try and get it off.
