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4,293 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

North Kinsman Mountain

North Kinsman Mountain is a 4,293 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail: 9 mi, 3,225 ft of gain, Class 2.

North Kinsman Mountain in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

North Kinsman Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,293 ft1,308 m
  • RouteNorth and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy TrailClass 2
  • Distance9 mi3,225 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail

From Route 116 in Easton, New Hampshire, the Mount Kinsman Trail, or Fishin' Jimmy from Lonesome Lake Hut, gains the Kinsman Ridge. North Kinsman has a rocky outlook just off the wooded summit with a fine view down to Kinsman Pond and across Franconia Notch. The ridge is rooty and rocky with steep, slabby pitches that get slick when wet. Water is limited high up. Start early for the long round trip and carry layers, since the ledges catch wind. Almost always combined with South Kinsman in one day.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with North Kinsman Mountain

Peaks near North Kinsman Mountain

  1. South Kinsman Mountain

    South Kinsman Mountain

    4,358 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Cannon Mountain

    Cannon Mountain

    4,100 ft · 2.5 mi away

  3. Mount Lincoln

    Mount Lincoln

    5,089 ft · 4.7 mi away

  4. Mount Liberty

    Mount Liberty

    4,459 ft · 4.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is North Kinsman Mountain?

North Kinsman Mountain is 4,293 feet (1,308 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does North Kinsman Mountain rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 4,293 feet, North Kinsman Mountain is the 31st highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike North Kinsman Mountain?

The North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 3,225 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike North Kinsman Mountain?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail, covering 9 miles with 3,225 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike North Kinsman Mountain?

The North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 3,225 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike North Kinsman Mountain?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for North Kinsman Mountain?

The North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail starts at about 1,760 feet, roughly 2,533 feet below the summit.

Climb North Kinsman Mountain with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list