Mt. Kinsman
Where: Mt. Kinsman
When: Autumn, 1986 (?)
With: Solo
The trails in this area looked good on the map, so I headed up to see for myself. I parked the car at a new lot, walked on a trail along the East side of 95, then crossed under and headed up the Cascade Brook and Kinsman Pond trails. Pretty trails, mostly along the brook.
I don't recall much of the early part of the hike, due to a smoke stop early on, but eventually I came to a small, deep pool in the brook surrounded by rocks. It was hot, I was alone, so I stripped and dipped. Very nice.
Continuing up the trail a bit, I suddenly came upon a campsite on the left, right on the brook. Flat, cleared, water access, and even a view. "What a lovely site," I actually said aloud, surprising even myself. With such an immediate reaction, how could I go on? I stopped and set up camp.
I was well settled in when I heard a noise on the trail. Four young women soon appeared and we chatted. It turned out they had discovered the pool also. My mind reeled with the image! They hoped to make it to a shelter up top for the night.
After a bit, they continued on and I had the site to myself. I read some, made dinner, lit a fire, and eventually went to sleep. The next day I awoke to find snow! Looking across the valley to the sun rising over Lafayette, I saw the top of that ridge had been frosted. I just had a dusting on my tent. I was a bit worried about the women, since they didn't seem to be too prepared, but they showed up on their return trip before I broke camp and seemed okay.
The trail past the site was quite a bit steeper than the lower section, but I made it to Kinsman Pond and the shelter in good time. The summit of N. Kinsman loomed over the pond and was just too inviting, so I headed up on the Kinsman Ridge trail. A short, tough hike but a great view from the top. Open rocks.
I enjoyed the view and then headed down. I took the Fishin' Jimmy Trail down to Lonesome Lake and the hut and then headed back to the Cascade Brook trail and out. I picked up a few of the first colorful leaves of Autumn for Jane.
When: Autumn, 1986 (?)
With: Solo
The trails in this area looked good on the map, so I headed up to see for myself. I parked the car at a new lot, walked on a trail along the East side of 95, then crossed under and headed up the Cascade Brook and Kinsman Pond trails. Pretty trails, mostly along the brook.
I don't recall much of the early part of the hike, due to a smoke stop early on, but eventually I came to a small, deep pool in the brook surrounded by rocks. It was hot, I was alone, so I stripped and dipped. Very nice.
Continuing up the trail a bit, I suddenly came upon a campsite on the left, right on the brook. Flat, cleared, water access, and even a view. "What a lovely site," I actually said aloud, surprising even myself. With such an immediate reaction, how could I go on? I stopped and set up camp.
I was well settled in when I heard a noise on the trail. Four young women soon appeared and we chatted. It turned out they had discovered the pool also. My mind reeled with the image! They hoped to make it to a shelter up top for the night.
After a bit, they continued on and I had the site to myself. I read some, made dinner, lit a fire, and eventually went to sleep. The next day I awoke to find snow! Looking across the valley to the sun rising over Lafayette, I saw the top of that ridge had been frosted. I just had a dusting on my tent. I was a bit worried about the women, since they didn't seem to be too prepared, but they showed up on their return trip before I broke camp and seemed okay.
The trail past the site was quite a bit steeper than the lower section, but I made it to Kinsman Pond and the shelter in good time. The summit of N. Kinsman loomed over the pond and was just too inviting, so I headed up on the Kinsman Ridge trail. A short, tough hike but a great view from the top. Open rocks.
I enjoyed the view and then headed down. I took the Fishin' Jimmy Trail down to Lonesome Lake and the hut and then headed back to the Cascade Brook trail and out. I picked up a few of the first colorful leaves of Autumn for Jane.
