A Snowy Hike Up the Kinsman Ridge Trail

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

On February 27th we started the hike up the Kinsman Ridge Trail from the Cannon Mountain ski area around 9:30 am. It was snowing and the temperature was 28 degrees.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT1.jpg

The trail was not broken out from the previous night?s snowfall and as the snow fell it continued to add more to the existing base.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT2.jpg

We wore our Tubbs Mountaineer snowshoes throughout the hike which proved to be the correct decision because there was a layer of ice below the 6 to 8 inches of new snow.

We stopped to enjoy a whoopie pie in the falling snow.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT3.jpg

As we entered the glade, which by the way was not clearly marked, we saw ice encrusted trees that made a cracking sound every time the tree would sway in the wind.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT4.jpg

Several times while climbing we saw the Cannon Mountain tram.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT5.jpg

Coming out of the glade we then came to the ski slope with skiers whizzing by.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT6.jpg

After reaching the tram building and staying there for about half an hour we went back into the snow storm where we once again entered the glade.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT7.jpg

On the descent we encountered a group of 6 people climbing up bare booting with only minimum amount of equipment leaving deep postholes and ruining the nice tracks we laid coming up.:mad:


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT8.jpg

Along the way there were several blow downs which were easily negotiated.
Here?s a picture of one of the larger ones.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT9.jpg

Further down Eagle Lake could be seen through the openings in the trees.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/jimmylegsandlittled/KRT%20to%20Cannon/KRT10.jpg

All in all the Kinsman Ridge Trail was a challenging hike made even more so with the weather conditions and the icy layer beneath the fresh snow.

[Snow Miser]

Very nice photos and TR Donna. Hiking while it is snowing always makes for an extra special time. Thanks for sharing with us!

[Anna LeBlanc]

Thank you guys for all those beautiful snowy pictures.I have to be honest though.My favorite one is the one with Donna and the Whoopie Pie!!Did you make those yourself?

I'll confess that Im a chocoholic.:p:D

____________

Anna

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

Thank you Anna for your comments and no, we didn't make the whoopie pies, we bought them at the local Amish Market.

http://www.citypaper.com/eat/review.asp?rid=12737

Mike

[TrishandAlex]

Nice seeing you that afternoon -- you two had quite the workout! Great photos. And mmm...whoopie pies...:D

[JimS]

Looks like a great hike on a nice snowy winter day! Love the shot of the tram! Hope all's well with y'all!

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

JIM,
Thanks, it was the start of a great time. We'll always remember AVALON from last year! And keep practicing your telemark techniques.

Donna:)