Trails: Mt. Kinsman, Bald Peak Spur, Kinsman Ridge, and Reel Brook trails
Total Distance: 11.9 miles Vertical gain: 4,000'
Could it be? 2 hikes on consecutive Saturdays? Pinch me. Seeing how we didn't hike a 4Ker all summer, this kinda catches us right up. On the drive over, a setting moon to go with a rising sun.
Once again, we have friends joining us for a 7:45 am start time. Jack, Don, and Thomas at the Mt. Kinsman trailhead.
We started our hike on the west side of the Kinsmans, which means more shade and cool for a while. Just 15 minutes in, a beam of light peeks through the forest. Jack spotted this.
A quick break on the trail.
Halfway up the Mt. Kinsman trail, we cross Flume Brook. A side trail leads down 150 yards or so to the flume.
These pics don't do it justice, but it was quite a drop through a big crack in the rocks. Probably 30-40 ft.
Back we go to the main trail, where 100' up, another side trail leads to Bald Peak. This rocky spur is the high point of a shoulder off the west side of North Kinsman, and a nice spot for a break.
Our old friend Moosilauke, (we've been there!) standing above the clouds.
We didn't have a view of our objectives today from Bald Peak. It was too cloudy and misty. So after a our break, it's back to work on the trail. We finally gain the ridge and the junction with the Kinsman Ridge trail.
Just a short way to our 1st summit. No cairns or markers on top. Thomas on the highest point we can find at 11:15 am. Can you see him?
Just past this point is is a little shootoff to a ledge facing east.
We pull off the packs to take a break. 1 minute later, the clouds start lifting like a curtain going up. The show is about to start, giving us unbelievable views of Cannon Mtn. and Franconia Ridge.
Mts. Lincoln and Lafayette, with Lonesome Lake in the foreground. A closer look.
The gang, feeling pretty special right now.
Well-rested, we backtrack 50' to the high point for the old guys summit shot.
Father & Son on #28. Yeah!
It's almost a mile between the 2 tops, so down we go, and up we go. Looking back at North Kinsman through the trees.
Just shy of our next peak. Amazing how bluebird the sky has become. Jack's liking it.
Thomas conquering South Kinsman.
Once again, the gray crew hiking buds.
#29 in the books for us!
Franconia Ridge from South Kinsman.
The southern peaks of the ridge on the right, Mts. Liberty and Flume
Looking west, the farthest peaks in the distance are in Vermont.
Can't get enough of this view. :-)
We arrived on top around 12:30pm. Time for lunch. While we were eating and relaxing, we could hear a plane in the distance. It was hauling up gliders to play in the wind. 3 different gliders were flying around, riding the thermals as quiet as birds. It was pretty cool watching them go over us!
Once we packed up, a hiker took a group shot for us.
Now comes our big decision. Do we go back the way we came, OR, continue south over less traveled trails and longer mileage? Let's do a loop hike, of course! We had spotted a car, might as well use it.
Looking south to the massive hulk of Moosilauke, now out of the clouds.
And into the southern end of Franconia Notch. We didn't know it heading down, but we'll be very close to those ponds in the distance.
We knew the 1st mile or so down was going to be steep. And it did not disappoint. Here's Don, making his way down one of the many slab and boulder fields.
I didn't take too many pics on the steeps, but we finally came out to tiny Harrington Pond.
Looking up at some of the cliffs and rock all the way up to South Kinsman.
At this point, still on the Kinsman Ridge trail, we enter the woods and follow Eliza Brook. We were in awe with how beautiful this brook and trail was. So many picturesque little falls, slides, and drops. Here are a few.
We cross Eliza Brook for the last time, and take a break by the Eliza Brook shelter, a nice lean-to and tent site.
It's 1 mile to the Reel Brook trail, our way out. More scenery on the way.
You can just see those ponds behind us. The ones we saw from the top of South Kinsman.
We're tired, but happy. -- I think.
Ahhh, our Yellow Brick Road.
We put our heads down and go. With barely a break or stop for pics, we all want out of these woods. Come out at the trailhead around 5:15 pm. My big faux-pas? No picture of us on the exit. Sorry. But as we drive back to our starting point , our day appears before us. North and South Kinsman, as seen from NH 116. We couldn't see them this morning.
Wow! Big day! On the trip over this morning, we encountered a smallish black bear that crossed the road right in front of us. We stopped, and it jumped the guardrail 15 ft. away.Too interested in watching to think about taking a picture. Wish I would have now. Oh, well.
Back to the hike. Did I say big day? Did not realize until after the hike when I tallied the totals. 4,000' vertical gain. Whew. 9-1/2 hours total hike time. A great effort by all.
Thanks again to Jack and Don for joining us. I don't know if it's because we hadn't hiked in a while, but the views up high today were some of the best we'd ever seen. Glad we could share it with friends.
Thomas is getting stronger and stronger hiking-wise. Nothing he does surprises me anymore. Way to go!
We have now done...............29!!!!! Only 19 more. Kinda bittersweet. But can't wait.
'Til next time...........
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