Kinsman Pond

The Kinsman Mountains (including both South Kinsman at 4,358 feet and North Kinsman at 4,293 feet) are part of this high elevation area that is subject to severe weather. Snow is possible in any season, so make sure you are ready for all weather conditions, even in the summer. The Kinsman Mountains have some tough rock scrambles that require hand over hand climbing, but Kinsman Pond campsite is nearby and makes it all worth the effort. The shelter and pond are a great place to overnight or relax for a while.  

Kinsman Pond at 3810 feet is tucked in the White Mountain National Forest and is a short distance from the Kinsman Mountains which have excellent views of the surrounding area. This hike starts at Lafayette Campground along US 3 and I-93 in Franconia Notch State Park and climbs steadily for two thousand feet to the small shelter and tent platforms at Kinsman Pond. Along the way, you pass the scenic Lonesome Lake (and the AMC’s Lonesome Lake Hut) and there are numerous and well maintained connecting trails that make a number of longer overnight hikes possible.