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The Kinsman Ridge Trail is one of the major ridge trails of the White Mountains, traversing the Kinsman Range from the Tramway base in Franconia Notch to Rte. 112 at the top of Kinsman Notch. The portion S of Kinsman Junction is part of the Appalachian Trail. Like most of the ridge trails, it is rocky with small ledges to scramble up and down, and many minor knolls in addition to the major peaks. The entire trail makes a long day hike which is occasionally done. Most users of the section S of the South Peak of Mount Kinsman (description not yet available here) are probably backpacking the Appalachian Trail, while the N section sees a lot of day hikers to the Kinsmans or Cannon Mountain (but not usually both the same day).
Distance: To South Peak of Kinsman Mountain, about 6.6 miles one-way
Elevation gain (Southbound): From Tramway base to Cannon Mountain, about 2300 feet
To Kinsman Junction, about 3100 feet
To North Peak Kinsman Mountain, about 3700 feet
To South Peak Kinsman Mountain, about 4000 feet
Elevation gain (Northbound): From South Peak Kinsman Mountain to North Peak Kinsman Mountain, about 300 feet
To Cannon Mountain, about 1500 feet
To Tramway base, about 1600 feet
Maps:
USGS Franconia, Lincoln
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-6
DeLorme NHA&G 43-E11 to 43-F10 - Franconia/Lincoln
The trail is W of I-93 in Franconia Notch, the N end is near Exit 34B
Trailhead: Cannon Mountain tramway parking lot, Exit 34B off I-93/Franconia Notch State Park Parkway, elevation about 1971 feet
N 44.1702, -71.6875 W (WGS84)
Currently no fee but this is under study
Take exit 34B off I-93/Franconia Notch Parkway, area for hiker parking is signed at S end of lot near Aerial Tramway
High Point: South Peak of Kinsman Mountain, elevation about 4358 feet
Owner: North from Cannon Mountain and summit of E Cannon Ball in Franconia Notch State Park, remainder in WMNF
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: No fires or camping anywhere in state park (except campground)
From the tramway parking lot, follow signs up a service drive and across a clearing to enter the woods S of the tramway. The trail switchbacks away and then returns to near the tramway, then climbs steeply in the woods parallel to it. The next section of trail is intermingled with the Kinsman Glades ski trail, which is not specifically marked but has a wide swath of cleared brush. The hiking trail has blue blazes and a regular footway; turn L at the HIKING TRAIL sign at .9 miles to follow the hiking trail instead of the ski trail. The trail then angles up to the L and climbs to the brow of a knoll at 1.4 mi. where a spur path leads L.
The Kinsman Ridge Trail continues over the knoll and descends through a blowdown area to the col beyond. It then climbs steeply and zigs L across a rock face, then zags R and climbs more steeply yet to the Rim Trail at 1.9 mi. If this last portion is concealed by snow, you can bushwhack R through evergreens to a ski trail and parallel it to the tramway top station.
If you go L on the Rim Trail, this bypasses the summit and leads to the other junction with the Short Trail at 2.1 mi. The greenish cast of the trail signs here indicates the amount of moisture often present in the air. The trail descends moderately to the junction with the Hi-Cannon Trail at 2.4 mi., and then more steeply over rocks and small cliffs. It makes a short ascent to the col between Cannon Mountain and the Cannon Balls, known as Coppermine Col in the AMC White Mountain Guide but not to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. Another slight ascent leads to the junction with the Lonesome Lake Trail at 2.8 mi.
Continuing on the Kinsman Ridge Trail, a brisk ascent of a quarter of a thousand feet in a quarter of a mile brings you to the summit of the Northeast Cannon Ball, known mostly to those climbing the New England Hundred Highest peaks. The trail circles the next Cannon Ball to the R and then passes over two more bumps before reaching Kinsman Junction at 5.1 mi.
From just beyond Kinsman Junction is a view of the moderate ridge up toward North Peak. After .2 mi., the Mount Kinsman Trail joins from the R. The summit is reached at 5.6 mi.; a rock E of the trail may be the true high point. A short path leads L to the top of the cliff overlooking Kinsman Pond; use care in slippery conditions. The Kinsman Ridge Trail beyond is steeper with some cliffs down to the col, while the ascent of South Peak is more moderate. A summit bump with a cairn on ledge is bypassed to the R, and the trail passes through a short scrub area to a second summit bump with a cairn on ledge at 6.6 mi. Most peakbaggers make sure to touch both.
The Kinsman Ridge Trail continues from here to Kinsman Notch on Rte. 112; for now, this description does not.
Parking lot plowed in winter, this is a ski area! The tramway runs summer and winter except during high winds, but may be closed spring and fall.
During the ski season, the hiking trail may be hard to find in the intermingled section with the Kinsman Glades ski trail and may require crampons to walk on the packed surfaces. If you miss the L turn onto the hiking trail, it is less than .2 miles over to the nearest ski trail and another .2 miles to the upper tram station, assuming that the authorities don't hassle you about walking on ski trails.
Map Notes: The junction with the Mount Kinsman Trail is shown too low on the USGS and park maps.
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map (online version)
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