Cannon
 via Kinsman Ridge Trail
  October 6, 2002

Early season foliage combined with a desire for a 'sneak peak' at Cannon's new 'Tramline Trail' brought me to Cannon Mountain this Sunday.  I've been meaning to hike up Cannon for some time now; it's one of only two mountains in the Franconia Notch State Park that I have not summited on foot.  Seeing how much I love Cannon during the winter, twoud only make sense I'd enjoy it as much during the Fall!

Woke up around 6AM and "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" was it cold!  I like an early start; but considering the temperature, I delayed for an hour and had the wheels rolling at 7AM.  Wise choice as the Tramway Building didn't open till 9 when I got there and I needed a bathroom and water refill after the drive!  Plus, it was just starting to warm up!

As I pulled into the Cannon Tramway parking lot, I started laughing...  hysterically!  I haven't had a good laugh like that in a long time!  I stammered/whimpered some expletives praising excrement and proceeded to park my car.  What would invoke such a response?  The newly cut ski trail directly under the tram line!  Words nor pictures can do justice to the vision of this monster.  Surely, it is soon to become a legendary in ski trail in New England.

 
A unique perspective of the Trams and the new Tram Line Trail from the Kinsman Ridge Trail.  Notice those Boulders, woo hoo!

After pausing at the base of the tram and the trail, I grabbed a few pictures and hit the trail.  The Kinsman Ridge Trail begins at the Picnic Area at the former site of the now non-existent Ski Jumps.  Diving into the woods, it zigzags through a series of switch backs as it parallels the Tramway.  The trail is horribly eroded, especially the bottom quarter.  The trail was wet and slick, and overall not a fun trail.  Until reaching the Cliffs that is...

An outlook opens up above the Cannon Cliffs; very near the location of the Old Man.  The view across the notch to the Franconia Ridge is spectacular beyond description.  I've viewed the Ridge from many vantage points, but I think this is my favorite.  Also, excellent views south through the notch and towards Cannon's summit are also excellent.  I was able to sneak up on some sorta bird, completely black in color (raven?) and grab a picture of it.  Seems birds also have an interest in sitting on granite outlooks over amazing ridges.

Back to the trail; which went through a fairly muddy section before beginning the final quick ascent to the Rim Trail via large granite rocks and boulders.  My type of trail!  I began hearing voices, lots of them!  A most unusual summit scene opened up before my eyes as I reached the Rim Trail.  I was prepared for the swarm of people, families, and tourists coming off of the Tram; however after only seeing three people in a 2 hour ascent, it still is a shock being exposed to the summer tourist trap.  I quickly circumnavigated the Rim Trail, climbed the Summit Tower, and went to the Summit Tram Building for lunch.

As I ate, the thought occurred to me: a winter hiker would have similar thoughts as I did upon reaching the summit and seeing swarms of skiers disembarking from the Tram (myself included in that bunch!).  So I attempt not to roll my eyes as people that could surely use a hike to the summit buy a tray of hamburgers, fries, and soda and opt not to walk the Rim Trail because it's too cold.

I had hoped to descend Cannon by the Vista Way trail to better assess the progress of the new trails from the upper angle.  However, several signs and ropes suggested that hiking of the ski trails was strictly prohibited for our own safety and environmental concerns.  Blah!  I must be getting old; as I've ducked many a rope during previous ski seasons!  However, I opted to return via the dreadful Kinsman Ridge Trail.  Who's only redemption offered me another chance to stop at the Cliffs Outlook.

My descent was slow, problematic, and occasionally painful.  The slick, wet, and eroded trail claimed two falls from me, and also quite a bit of my pride.  I slowed down to a snails pace, and still was slipping quite frequently.  My next ascent of Cannon during the hiking season will surely be via the Hi-Cannon trail!  I was glad to put the Kinsman Ridge trail behind me.