| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Kinsman, South Kinsman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Basin-Cascades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 15, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Elected to park in the Basin parking lot on the east side of the Franconia Notch Parkway rather than hoping for a spot in the often-crowded Lafayette Place lots. Other hikers indicated the Lafayette Place lot was full at 6:30AM. Another hiker waited and grabbed a spot when someone pulled out a bit later in the morning.
On my way home I noticed that route 3 at exit 35 was closed for road work. The detour was via exit 36. It looks like one may not have road access to the Skookumchuck trailhead lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The brook crossings are easy with low water levels. The crossing of Cascade Brook is just upstream from the former bridge crossing. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The chiseled steps in the ledges and wooden stairs on the Fishin' Jimmy Trail make the ledge areas much safer. However, one wooden stair is no longer in place. Hikers are bypassing this section of ledge by walking off trail.
Some of the bog bridges on the Basin-Cascades Trail & the Cascade Brook Trail have seen better days.
There was one cut evergreen protruding into the Fishin' Jimmy Trail that was easy to get by. There was some leaners that were easy to avoid.
There are two rocks on the Basin-Cascades Trail that have spray painted graffiti from an inconsiderate hiker(s). The action defaced both state and federal land. This is not acceptable behavior. Hopefully, it is not repeated on other trails. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for most dogs. I did observe one medium sized dog that needed assistance descending a tricky ledge on the north side of North Kinsman. |
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 | Bugs: |
None except the dragonflies at Kinsman Pond. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The ledges were pretty much dry making for safe footing. I hadn't been on Basin-Cascades and Cascade Brook trails for decades, so it was like seeing a new trail. They are an easy way to get up to the Lonesome Lake hut with some falls and pools to enjoy.
Great view from the docks at Lonesome Lake and at the summits. At North Kinsman one can descend from the initial ledge that looks to Lonesome Lake to arrive at the second ledge that allows a view down to Kinsman Pond. There are a couple of minor ledges and a few branches extending into the short path to this lower ledge.
There are two knobs on South Kinsman. The south knob has the best views and the "throne seat: on the large cairn..
Lots of hikers out today. I met hikers from all the New England states coming from both the east and west approaches to the ridge. Also met many AT thru and section hikers from many US states as well as Germany. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek1@charter.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-08-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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