Trails Used

Kinsman Ridge Trail, Dilly Trail, , Gordon Pond Trail, Bushwack

Trail Conditions

Notes

The Kinsman Ridge Trail was in great shape, the Dilly trail is fairly overgrown with one blowdown halfway to Dilly Cliff. the Gordon Pond Trail is in good shape. Great day for hiking up to Mt. Wolf. There are quite a few limited views on the trails, but they are worth the effort. Gordon Pond was gorgeous and has a great view of Mt. Wolf. Met one NOBO hiker and one SOBO hiker with his dog on the trail, otherwise a nice quiet hike.

Parking

Parked at the Beaver Brook Trail head. Plenty of parking on a Wednesday.

Water Crossings

No issues with water crossings

Wildlife

Very few bugs

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Kinsman Ridge Trail, Gordon Pond Spur, Mount Kinsman Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Interestingly, I think this is the first submission covering all these peaks together (Wolf and the two Kinsmans) in a while. Outstanding day in the Whites on every level - temperate weather no higher than the 70s, clear smoke-free skies, 100-mile visibility (to the Adirondacks from South Kinsman), and breezes to keep the bugs away. My brother hiked Franconia Ridge in the morning (which had a cloud cap during the first half of the day that eventually burned off), and so was available to facilitate the car shuttle between the Mount Kinsman Trail and Kinsman Notch. I started at first light from Kinsman Notch (5:15) and saw nobody till after Reel Brook Trail, then people regularly after that. Lots of little ups and downs, it's hard to go super fast! Glad to take the side trip to Gordon Pond to see the nice view of Mount Wolf, but that's too bad to see the trail beyond the pond seems decommissioned (see maintenance notes). As for the former Dilly Trail, its junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail is unsigned and the tread is pretty faint. It may be invisible in a few years. The west knob of Mount Wolf (considered the true summit) has a faint herd path for the 50 yards or so from the height of land on the AT. The register was last signed a few weeks ago. My favorite view today was the lower ledge beside North Kinsman's summit looking straight down to Kinsman Pond and over to the Franconia battlements. Awesome sights, especially in westerly afternoon light!

Parking

Nothing unusual. My brother picked me up at the Mount Kinsman Trail trailhead, so I was able to skip the $20 fee for that one.

Water Crossings

Streams are on the low side, no problem crossing anything. Trails on the whole are pretty dry, with little mud.

Wildlife

Very breezy, bugs stayed on the lowdown all day. They were only (barely) noticeable at Eliza Brook Shelter.

Trails Used

Kinsman Ridge Trail, Gordon Pond Trail, Dilly Trail spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

So many PUDs. Legs felt it on Sunday. A decent view remains of Franconia Ridge from the top. Recommend the short trip down to Gordon Pond. Came out to about 3,100 vertical for 10.5 miles with the couple of detours.

Parking

Plenty of space at Beaver Brook

Water Crossings

No issues

Wildlife

Not too bad. I was prepared for them.