On Monday I hiked with Vicky to the Kinsmans. It was a glorious trail (Mount Kinsman Trail to Kinsman Ridge Trail), and beautiful day (blue skies, 30ish degrees) and the views all around us were spectacular (Cannon, Franconia Ridge, Loon ski slopes).
It was a good day.
We opted for the gentle Mount Kinsman trail and it was a great choice. My last Kinsman climb was on the Basin Cascade trail to Kinsman Pond trail. While that was a good hike, it was a bit sloggy on Cascade, this one was an easier option. Overnight the mountains got about 2 inches of snow so the hike at our 10am start was a winter wonderland. The snow was grippy over ice that seemed porous. We didn’t put spikes on until the second mile.
Once we turned on the Kinsman Ridge trail the views across the valley could be seen. The bluest sky ever against the freshly fallen snow on the trees made the day seem magical. The wind was cold but not too bad. When we made it to South Kinsman and took a break, we were able to get out of the wind and just be in awe of a perfect day.
The trail was hardly recognized on the way down. All the snow melted and it seemed like a completely different trail. At the trailhead we talked to a couple who were gridding and shared fun hiking stories and inspiration to finish the grid. Then we drove over to Lincoln for an early dinner at Black Mtn Burger Co.
My last big hike was October 2021 when Greg and I traversed the Presidential Range. That is too long to be away from the mountains.
All winter I focused on running and didn’t hike at all; this was a mistake.
Everything has changed.
My plans for training and racing have changed.
Spending Monday on trails and bagging two 4,000 footers for the grid is a reminder to me what is important and what I need.
I need the mountains and they need to be incorporated into my training and life.
