North and South Kinsman via Fishin’ Jimmy Trail

This is a strenuous 9.8-mile round-trip out-and-back from Lafayette Place to both North and South Kinsman, using Lonesome Lake Trail, a short stretch beside Lonesome Lake, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, and Kinsman Ridge. Plan on about 8–10 hours for the steady climbing, rough footing, summit stops, and return. Published totals range from 9.7 to 10.2 miles; the saved trail line is about 10% shorter than the detailed guidebook-style segment total, so treat its on-map mileage as an approximation.

The two summits make this a full day for hikers comfortable with sustained uphill work and rocky, sometimes hand-assisted footing. Fishin’ Jimmy’s uneven ledges and the steep North-to-South Kinsman ridge section make the return demanding too. If that is more than you want, Lonesome Lake and its hut are a rewarding, much shorter turnaround about 3.2 miles round trip from the same start. Dogs are allowed on the route; keep them leashed through the campground, trailhead and developed trail areas.

From the campground trailhead, Lonesome Lake Trail crosses the Pemigewasset River and climbs on switchbacks. The lower path is rough and rocky in places. At the lake, follow Cascade Brook Trail along the shore to Lonesome Lake Hut; boardwalks carry the trail over boggy ground. The lake and outlet area open views toward Cannon and Franconia Ridge and provide a quieter pause before the harder climb.

Past the hut, Fishin’ Jimmy rolls over roots and rock before getting markedly steeper. Expect ledges, rough steps, wooden steps or ladders fixed to slabs, and small footholds cut into rock, followed by bog bridges near Kinsman Junction. Move deliberately: wet rock is slippery, and this section can be slow and tiring in either direction. The trail then meets Kinsman Ridge Trail for the climb to the peaks.

The steep, rocky climb to North Kinsman reaches an open ledge with a dramatic look across Franconia Notch toward Cannon and Franconia Ridge. It is the route’s signature view; keep a careful distance from the edge. The rough ridge walk to South Kinsman descends sharply from North before climbing again for roughly 0.9 mile. South has a broader, partly open summit marked by a large cairn, with views across the surrounding mountains.

The standard hike retraces Kinsman Ridge and Fishin’ Jimmy to Lonesome Lake, then follows the lake approach back to Lafayette Place. A short side trip from Kinsman Junction reaches Kinsman Pond and its campsite area; it is not part of the 9.8-mile figure. A longer route returning from North Kinsman by way of Kinsman Pond Trail is a different loop, commonly reported at about 11.2 miles, rather than the out-and-back mapped here.

Use the signed Lafayette Place Campground trailhead parking and start on the campground side of I-93. If you park at the Falling Waters or Old Bridle Path lot across the highway, use the pedestrian underpass; never park on the highway shoulder. Lonesome Lake Hut is on the route and offers overnight lodging by reservation. Do not count on day-use food, water or restroom service without checking directly before your hike.