JoeCedar
02-04-2012, 08:36 PM
The first time I climbed these peaks was 4/29/2009. Despite the "spring" date, I wore snowshoes for part of the the trip on the Kinsman Ridge trail over the "Cannon Balls". Well, I did it again, this time in February.
The trail to the Lonesome Lake hut was well packed/refrozen snow and ideal for Microspikes. Reaching the lake, it was nice to just walk across instead of following the hiking trail around. I had forgotten how steep the Fishin Jimmy trail was, but it was soon over and I was heading up the ridge to the peaks. There were some icy spots but nothing that couldn't be easily avoided going to the north peak. A big group came up the Mt Kinsman trail and packed down the trail to the south peak. I finally caught them, about 20 people, as they were celebrating on the south peak.
I knew the tough part of the day was the trip over the Cannon Balls and the very steep climb of the lower part of Cannon. For these I switched to snowshoes and really needed them. No one had gone over the Cannon Balls in some time. The trail was blown in, then it froze with a weak crust that would break through easily. It would have been difficult without snowshoes. Still it was nice to have it all to myself and a place in NH which isn't hiked much. There was very little ice going up Cannon (versus a lot in April 2009), but it was steep as I remembered.
Cannon is always a letdown for me when I reach the platform on top. I guess the tourists need something too (ride the tramway to the top). I bet it was once a nice mountain. For the return, I took the express route down, the Hi-Cannon trail. It circles around the mountain, which is very steep, drops down a long ladder, and somehow finds a route back toward Lonesome Lake and the Lafayette PA.
If you want to take a look at the Whites sometime, this trip is a good starter. But with the hut nearby, be prepared for lots of people in the summer. Or stay in the hut, and you'lll be right there. :)
The trail to the Lonesome Lake hut was well packed/refrozen snow and ideal for Microspikes. Reaching the lake, it was nice to just walk across instead of following the hiking trail around. I had forgotten how steep the Fishin Jimmy trail was, but it was soon over and I was heading up the ridge to the peaks. There were some icy spots but nothing that couldn't be easily avoided going to the north peak. A big group came up the Mt Kinsman trail and packed down the trail to the south peak. I finally caught them, about 20 people, as they were celebrating on the south peak.
I knew the tough part of the day was the trip over the Cannon Balls and the very steep climb of the lower part of Cannon. For these I switched to snowshoes and really needed them. No one had gone over the Cannon Balls in some time. The trail was blown in, then it froze with a weak crust that would break through easily. It would have been difficult without snowshoes. Still it was nice to have it all to myself and a place in NH which isn't hiked much. There was very little ice going up Cannon (versus a lot in April 2009), but it was steep as I remembered.
Cannon is always a letdown for me when I reach the platform on top. I guess the tourists need something too (ride the tramway to the top). I bet it was once a nice mountain. For the return, I took the express route down, the Hi-Cannon trail. It circles around the mountain, which is very steep, drops down a long ladder, and somehow finds a route back toward Lonesome Lake and the Lafayette PA.
If you want to take a look at the Whites sometime, this trip is a good starter. But with the hut nearby, be prepared for lots of people in the summer. Or stay in the hut, and you'lll be right there. :)