Lincoln, New Hampshire

North Kinsman Mountain, a captivating peak situated in Lincoln, New Hampshire, forms an integral part of the Kinsman Range within the White Mountains.

Location Added By:

@emily_cummings603 (Instagram)

About This Location

North Kinsman Mountain, a captivating peak situated in Lincoln, New Hampshire, forms an integral part of the Kinsman Range within the White Mountains. This splendid mountain, named in honor of Nathan Kinsman, an early resident of Easton, New Hampshire, stands tall with an elevation of 4,293 feet and boasts a clean prominence of 253 feet.

One of the distinctive features of Kinsman Mountain is its dual peaks, namely South Kinsman Mountain (South Peak) and North Kinsman Mountain (North Peak). According to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), both North and South Kinsman are recognized as "four-thousand footers" due to the ridge that connects them, providing North Kinsman with more than 200 feet of topographic prominence.

While the summit of North Kinsman Mountain itself lacks expansive views, a brief bushwhack to the east leads hikers to steep granite ledges that overlook Kinsman Pond. From this vantage point, hikers can also enjoy sweeping views encompassing Cannon Mountain, South Kinsman, Franconia Ridge, and Lonesome Lake.

The most commonly used trail to ascend North Kinsman is the Fishing Jimmy Trail, which is often followed by hikers on their way to South Kinsman. To reach both summits, hikers follow the Fishing Jimmy Trail for a total distance of 9.4 miles round trip. The hike to both peaks entails an elevation gain of 3,248 feet and is classified as a challenging trek. On average, it takes hikers approximately 6-7 hours to complete this journey. Given its popularity, expect to encounter other outdoor enthusiasts, including backpackers, birdwatchers, and campers, throughout your hike. The trail remains accessible year-round, offering its beauty in every season. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Be sure to lookout for Kinsman Pond Shelter along the trail too! It is a wonderful place to relax on the shores of Kinsman Pond!

For those aiming to summit only North Kinsman, the round trip hike covers 8 miles. However, it's highly recommended to add the extra 1.5 miles to reach South Kinsman as well.

Parking for the trailhead is available in two main areas. The closest parking area is situated at the Lafayette Place Campground on the eastern side of Route 93, also known as the Styles Bridges Highway. Another parking area can be found directly across the highway at the Old Bridle Path Trailhead. Both parking lots require a $3 fee per day, which can be paid through a self-serve payment box. They are connected by a convenient tunnel that passes under the highway. As these parking lots tend to get busy on weekends, it's advisable to arrive early or consider visiting on a weekday.

Location Features

No items found.

Locations

Address:
Lincoln, New Hampshire

GPS Coordinates:
44.133500, -71.736500
Directions to location:
Click here for location directions
Directions to parking area:
Click here for parking directions
Parking Notes:
There is a dedicated parking lot at the Mount Kinsman Trailhead. The lot is located just off Easton Valley Road in Easton, New Hampshire. Parking is $3 per day and the lot can hold about two dozen cars.

Reviews

Have you visited this location before? Let us know what you thought! (Feature coming soon!)