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4,358 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

South Kinsman Mountain

South Kinsman Mountain is a 4,358 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.

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South Kinsman Mountain in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

South Kinsman Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,358 ft1,328 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 the Fishin' Jimmy Trail from Lonesome Lake Hut, reaches the Kinsman Ridge. South Kinsman is the higher of the two summits, with open ledges giving fine views over Franconia Notch and Cannon. The ridge trail is rocky and rooty with steep pitches that get slick when wet. Water is limited high on the ridge. Start early for the long round trip and carry layers, since the ledges catch wind. Usually climbed together with North Kinsman.

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 South Kinsman Mountain

Peaks near South Kinsman Mountain

  1. North Kinsman Mountain

    North Kinsman Mountain

    4,293 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Cannon Mountain

    Cannon Mountain

    4,100 ft · 3.0 mi away

  3. Mount Liberty

    Mount Liberty

    4,459 ft · 4.7 mi away

  4. Mount Lincoln

    Mount Lincoln

    5,089 ft · 4.9 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is South Kinsman Mountain?

South Kinsman Mountain is 4,358 feet (1,328 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

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

At 4,358 feet, South Kinsman Mountain is the 25th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike South 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 South 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 South 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 South 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 South Kinsman Mountain?

The North and South Kinsman via Fishin Jimmy Trail starts at about 1,760 feet, roughly 2,598 feet below the summit.

Climb South 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

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