The Kinsmans are gently sloping mountains just south of Cannon.
Both summits have views and broad rocky areas on top. Some of the best views of the
Franconia Ridge can be seen from here.
THE TRAILHEADS
♦Lonesome Lake to ♦Fishin'Jimmy to ♦Kinsman
Ridge Trails are the most popular route. The Trailhead is located in the heart of Franconia Notch at Lafayette Place Campground Parking. Lonesome Lake Trail is a pretty moderate and switchbacks up the ridge to the AMC hut of the same name (Open year round.) Fishin'Jimmy is much steeper and can be wet or icy at times. When returning on Fishin' Jimmy you will have 200 feet of elevation to gain before you reach the hut. The Kinsman "Ridge" from FJ to the summits is a steady moderate climb to North Kinsman then only a couple of moderate climbs with lots of flat sections on the .9 mile to South Kinsman.
♦Mount Kinsman Trail is less popular, it's trailhead is off RT-116. ♦Reel Brook also is on RT-116 and hooks up at ♦Kinsman Ridge.
Less popular because of length is ♦Kinsman Ridge Trail from their starting points at the Mt Cannon ski area or way down on RT-112.
THE MOUNTAINS
North Kinsman 4,293'
Going up Fishin'Jimmy North Kinsman comes first after climbing some ledgy areas on the ridge. This ridge is almost always wet especially in the sections going towards Cannon. The word Kinsman means male relative, I guess you could call them the brothers.
South Kinsman 4,358'
South Kinsman is a little higher than it's brother to the north. I like the views looking east along the ridge. On a summer day you might see dozens of people lounging on the rocks of the two flat summits. There is a cairn on the southernmost summit which is very close.
