Leaving The Notch Hostel, The Kinsmans and Eliza Brook

We left The Notch Hostel this morning and took their shuttle back to Franconia Notch to continue on the Trail. Our morning hike toward Lonesome Lake was relatively easy, and I felt a real sense of jubilation when we passed the last AMC hut there. We took a quick break for a drink and food to celebrate. 😆

We continued southbound on the Trail, which grew progressively more difficult, with granite slabs, boulders and tree roots. In just the last mile before Kinsman Pond, the Trail climbed about 1,000 feet. In several places, wooden steps had been bolted to the rock face because it was so steep. At about 5:45 p.m., we collected water at Kinsman Pond Campsite/Shelter (Mile Marker 377.9) and took a quick break. This was the last AMC campsite where hikers have to pay a fee to stay. Finally, we were leaving the commercialized section of the Trail that had disappointed me so much.

Just as we began to head up Kinsman Mountain, a thunderstorm started. This part of the Trail includes some aggressive climbs and descents to and from two main peaks: North Kinsman Peak (4,293 feet) and South Kinsman Peak (4,358 feet). There are several ledges along the way as well. Hopefully, it won't rain enough to keep us from reaching Eliza Brook or Eliza Brook Campsite/Shelter (Mile Marker 381.9; the last of the AMC campsites, but no fee is charged for this one), which is our target for the day.