I don’t start work until noon on Thursday’s so I decided I’d go up to NH and tackle another 4000-er (April 8, 2021). Cannon Mountain is one of the closer ones to me (if you can call 2 hours close by), and I set off from home at 2:30 AM. I went to bed at 9:00 PM prior, so I had a bit of sleep and to my surprise did not get sleepy on the drive up. I had looked up directions to the trailhead but had brief difficulty finding the trailhead. It was pitch black, the dirt road was blocked by a pile of snow, and a sign for the trailhead was posted high up on a tree- not at eye level.

I started at 4:53 AM and was on top of the observatory deck by 6:45 AM. It was pitch black when I started and I held peppers pray in my hand the entire time until it got light enough- it’s in bear country! And I’m paranoid lol. The trail had trace amounts of snow at the base, and midway up it had a consistent path of packed snow combined with ice. The alpine zone was a combo of packed snow and bare rock, at which I cringed every time my spikes connected with the bare ground. I didn’t take them off because the stretches of bare ground were not long enough for it to be worth continuously taking on and off my spikes, and there was a very thin sheet of ice on the rocks.

The sunrise was great and the conditions for the hike were perfect. I started my hike at the low 40’s and it was low 50’s by the time I was done. There was no wind save for some light wind at the observatory, and it was a bluebird day.

Now- let’s talk about the level of this hike. Multiple places online said this hike (Kinsman Ridge Trail to Cannon Mountain) was ranked as “moderate”. I think the only moderate thing about this is that its not a very long hike. This trail is steep. Pretty much from the moment you set foot on the trail till you reach the alpine zone, it is straight up. The snow pack helps in my opinion, so I can’t imagine what it is like with no snow! Well, yes I can. And it is hard! Steep! Technical! I thought a winter hike to Tuckerman Ravine was easier than this. Anyways, despite all that, it is still a great hike. Alpine zone is my favorite, and Cannon’s alpine zone is pretty great! Lots of trees, some clearings, some outlooks, beautiful views. And don’t wimp out and not make it to the observation tower- you really can’t beat those 360° views!

Parking

As you pull into the parking lot for the mountain (Exit 34B) there is a road on your left that leads you to the parking lot for the Kinsman Ridge Trail trailhead. This left is once you’re actually in the parking lot- it is not the first left on the road into the parking lot. There is a white trail sign posted high up on a tree at the entrance to the trailhead parking lot, and the trailhead is in the back corner of the lot.

Mileage

AllTrails says it is a 3.8 mile round trip, Strava said I did 4.11 mi (round trip).

Terrain

Steep! Nature’s stair stepper! The Kinsman Ridge Trail will make your legs feel something the next day. Again, I don’t know why people call this trail moderate, I would put it more on the difficult side because of how steep it is. Don’t be afraid to whip out those hiking poles- you won’t look weak. I wish that I had used some on this trail! The terrain is your typical trail with roots and rocks etc. The alpine zone is more level and has a few brief rocky areas. If you’re going in the winter, or early spring, bring those spikes!

The Views

Amaaaaaazing views- especially when you’re up on the observation tower! You can see mountains. Do I know which ones? No- because I’m not well versed in viewing mountains. But- there are mountains…. Oh and apparently you can see Canada on a clear day. There is also a section on the trail (mid way up) that you have a great view of Echo Lake.

Gear

For the conditions during my hike- I couldn’t have had a more perfect outfit on. I didn’t need a hat or gloves, and I shed my nano puff on my ascent.

Patagonia Nano Puff | backcountry, patagonia, rei
66° North Sweater | 66north
Lululemon Swiftly Tech LS Tee | lululemon
Fjallraven Abisko Trail Tights | backcountry, rei, moosejaw
Cotopaxi Headlamp | no longer in circulation
Hillsound Trail Crampons | rei, hillsound, moosejaw