Bald Peak via Mt. Kinsman Trail (White Mountain National Forest)

Bald Peak via Mt. Kinsman Trail (White Mountain National Forest)

Distance: 4.48 miles
Elevation: 1,391 feet

Time: 3 hours, 48 minutes (3 hours moving)
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

First trip up to the Whites in 2024! I took a mental health day off of work (read as: played hookie), got up at 4:00am, had a LONG search for my wallet (it was in my lunchbox/shopping bag), and started my drive after 4:30am. It was misty out for quite literally the entire drive, which, paired with temperatures between 24 and 28 degrees, made for a very interesting, slow drive. The stretch to Hookset was rough, BUT I was blessed with needing to use the bathroom (better here than the woods) and breakfast sandwiches! The rest of the drive was slow, wet, and slippery. I stopped at the Lincoln McDonalds for a final bathroom break and then started my drive along 112 and then 116 which was just beautiful. The trees were frosted in white and I almost pulled over to get a photo of the Beaver Brook Trailhead just because of how gorgeous it was. The mountains began to peek through the clouds, but it was not looking too promising for me. I was definitely feeling nervous, with my 31lbs pack (new record!) and that this would be my first time snowshoeing (also first time snowshoeing up a mountain), but I was going in realisticly with my goal being Bald Peak and my dream being the Kinsmans. The trailhead had 2-3 inches of fresh powder, it was 24 degrees, the air was still, I got dressed, and the adventure began!

Right away, the trees were beautiful marshmallows, and I had plenty of time to admire them as I was hiking very slowly to account for the weight. My fleece was taken off after five minutes and I was an absolute disaster maneuvering my full pack (dropped my camera in the snow - its taken a beating before, but the poor lens...). After a few more minutes my spikes went on, just adding to my glacial speed. I wasn't bothered though, the woods were absolutely beautiful. 

I made my way into the hemlock grove mentioned in the guidebook which was equally beautiful and mysterious, and I admired how well blazed this trail was. I made my way onto an old logging road, where the snow was a bit deeper, but grades were nearly flat. At this point I began to wonder when it would be appropriate to put on snowshoes, but then I thought about how this would be perfect timing because 1) I've never worn them before and 2) the trail was currently flat so I would have a moment to get my clumsiness out of the way. At the 0.9 mile mark snowshoes went on rather smoothly (thank you Costco), and I was off again!

My first impressions on the snowshoes were... weird. I had to step wider and be more intentional with my foot placements. My hips soon became sore, but apparently that's likely just muscles getting used that never get used. Over time, I began to adjust. I kept it snow and steady with small steps, generally leading with my thigh/knee. When the trail began to pick up in grade, I kicked up the televators, which I am a big fan of! I felt so fancy using my poles to pop them up and down.

I continued my climb, doing a horrible job at not sweating. Thankfully, temperatures remained in the 20s with no wind at all. I was just happy to be in such a beautiful forest! Near the halfway point it began to flurry, but nothing ever more than that. 

I do need to get gaiters and snow baskets for my poles, but besides that I was very happy with my equipment. I continued to follow dozens of adorable bunny tracks as I ducked under trees that were weighed down by the recent snow. I soon became a monster, smacking branches with my poles to relieve some of the weight on the branches so I could get under unscathed (moderate success, I had MUCH snow falling down the back of my shirt).

I eventually made it to a few stream crossings - one of which was fully frozen over - I only knew it was a water crossing from the sound of a cascade underneath! The snow bridges were excellent, but definitely made me feel uneasy. Before I knew it, I passed the spur to the flume, which I did not take on this day (not trying to tempt fate), and not too much after, made my way to the Bald Peak spur!

At this point, I had made the decision to not continue to the Kinsmans. This would only be the halfway point up the mountain, I was having a great day, and my hips were hurting. I would rather have my first snowshoe adventure end positively than in pain. I began my trek to Bald Peak, which was more intense in terms of snow and postholes than the main trail. There were some postholes over two feet deep. The trail was short and narrow, with even more bunny tracks! 

I hit the final push and I was very happy with where I had landed. The summit of Bald Peak is wide open with a PERFECT sitting rock. Views were minimal, yet beautiful, with clouds rolling in and out. I think if I was able to see the ridge from here I might have been more tempted to go all the way to the Kinsmans, but it was still deep in the clouds - another day! I had a nice break up here. 

Getting back to the junction was quick and easy, and I had a moment of peace standing still in the silent woods, with only a woodpecker keeping me company. It was so nice to be here. My return trip was simple and straightforward - following my little baby snow trench. I didn't see a single human until my last mile. They were kind, but not wearing snowshoes, and chewing up my hard work! In their defense, I would argue snowshoes weren't necessary except for maybe the last bit up to Bald Peak, but I still worked on hard on the satisfying trench! They sounded like they were going up to the Kinsmans - hope they made it okay!

Soon enough I was back were I began at the trailhead, feeling very accomplished and hungry for more! I had a relatively quick drive home (in comparison to my drive there), with just a quick stop at Hooksett. My hip soreness wore off and I was feeling good! I'm glad I didn't go all the way up, becuase now I got to take a nap once home, but I'm excited to get back out soon!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Mt. Kinsman Trail parking.

- Hike on Mt. Kinsman Trail until junction with Bald Peak Spur.

- Hike on Bald Peak Spur to Bald Peak.

- Retract steps to car.

"Mt. Kinsman Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

WMNF This trail climbs from the east side of NH 116 to Kinsman Ridge Trail, 0.4 mi. north of North Kinsman. The trailhead, with a short road leading into a large dirt parking area (usually not plowed in winter, in 2021, the entrance had a small washout to watch for), is 4.7 mi. south of NH 18 in Franconia, just beyond the Tamarack Tennis Camp, and 6.4 mi. north of NH 112 at Bungay Corner; this is 1.7 mi. north of the Easton town hall. Mt. Kinsman Trail climbs at mostly moderate grades.

        The blue-blazed trail leaves the southeast corner of the parking area and in 20 yd. turns sharply left and ascends moderately through a brushy area. At 0.2 mi., the trail enters an attractive hemlock forest, dips to cross a small brook, and ascends generally eastward. At 0.5 mi., the trail swings left and levels off, crossing an unmarked mountain-bike trail, and in another 30 yd. turns right onto a logging road, joining an older route. (In the reverse direction, turn left off the road onto a footpath at a sign.) The trail soon swings left, passes an old sugarhouse on the left at 0.6 mi., and swings right again.

        Mt. Kinsman Trail enters the WMNF at 1.1 mi., turns right off the road (cairn and arrow), and in 30 yd. turns left onto another road. This older, steeper road crosses a brook at 1.5 mi. near the site of the former Kinsman Cabin (up on the left). At 1.8 mi., Mt. Kinsman Trail crosses Mossy Falls Brook, which flows over a mossy ledge to the left of the trail, and then crosses Kendall (Flume) Brook at 2.1 mi. Just over the brook, a side path on the right (sign: “Flume”) descends close to the brook bank for 150 yd. to the top edge of a small, steep-walled Kinsman Flume, a classic eroded dike (use caution here). Mt. Kinsman Trail continues on the road for another 70 yd. and then turns sharply left at the point where a yellow-blazed 0.2-mi. Spur path (sign: “Bald Peak”) diverges sharply right, descends briefly, then makes an easy ascent to Bald Peak, a bare, ledgy dome with fine views that crowns a western spur of Kinsman Mtn. [...].

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