North Kinsman
via Basin-Cascades, Kinsman Pond, Kinsman Ridge, Fishin' Jimmy, and Lonesome Lake Trails
August 4, 2002

Kinsman Main Page
Basin-Cascade Trail
Kinsman Pond Trail
Kinsman Ridge and Lonesome Lake

 
The Basin

I began my hike passing by the tourist trap known as The Basin.  Although the 8 o'clock hour had not yet dawned, already a couple of tourists had gathered on the paved paths around The Basin.  I paused for a quick picture, then dove into the woods and met the Basin-Cascade Trail.

The Basin-Cascade Trail begins as a flat and wide hiking path that ascends at an very easy grade.  Views of Cascade Brook's rocky slabs quickly becomes visible through the trees.  I opted to duck through the trees and ascend directly up the rock slab instead of the trail itself.  The rock slab was completely dry, and the Brook was an easily avoidable trickle.  Recent signs of other people quickly became apparent.  I have never seen so much garbage left on the trail!  Everything from a variety of clothes (um......  no comment!) to various food wrappers and beverage containers.  Unfortunately; I hadn't come prepared with a garbage bag, so I wasn't able to pack out the trash.  Selfishly, I realized I would never summit if I began a massive trail cleaning effort.  So I continued on.

Cascades and Pools along Cascade Brook

Again, more Cascades and a pool on the Cascade Brook

Kinsman Falls dives through a crack in the granite into a pool below

Cascade Brook makes it's way down over a variety of interesting cascades, falls, and pools.  A great variety of cascades culminating into a pool of waist deep water occupied various parts of the slabs.  As I gained higher elevations, boulder hoping became necessary.  Eventually, the boulder hoping became rather tricky and moderately difficult.  The boulders begin to increase in size, and so did my fatigue!  I realized I was wearing myself out too early for such a long hike; but I didn't care...  the slabs were a lot of fun and I didn't want to miss any part of the Brook's descent down the rock face.

The Brook eventually comes abruptly to a rock walled amphitheater featuring a narrow channel funneling rushing water down a 30 foot drop.  The lovely Kinsman Falls descend into a waist deep pool of dark refreshing water.  A variety of small rounded stones dot the edge of the pool, providing a great place to sit and ponder the rushing water crashing into the still pond.  A steep but short climb up a well traveled side path led me back to the trail proper. Above the falls the Brook became especially rocky and tough to travel by.

The Basin-Cascade Trail begins to increase in grade and the ground becomes increasingly rougher.  However; this trail is still a cake wake compared to most hikes.  Most tourists seemed to have stopped at Kinsman Falls, as the trail narrows, grows more rugged, and the trash considerably decreass.  After a stream crossing and passing over some muddy patches, the culmination of the Waterfall section of the hike is reached at Rocky Glen Falls.  This marvelous long cascade drops from a pool above into a wet, lush, green glen.  One can see the pool above, and wonders what further interesting perks of nature could lie above.  However, no trail leads to that wondrous area; nor was it mentioned in the guide books.

I found an interesting rock path ascending the rock formation to the left of the Rocky Glen Falls.  Always looking for a waterfall investigation; and driven by curiosity about the pool above the falls, I ventured off the Basin-Cascade Trail and ascended the steep rocky steps.  The Steep steps brought me above the Falls and above the pool to the Brook where a tough crossing became apparent.  A slightly beaten trail down the north side of the Brook quickly became noticeable, and I knew I was on to a secret!  After a short steep descent, I made a great discovery!  The Rocky Glen Falls are really two impressive falls; not just one, that are separated by a pool of water!  I took a seat facing the Upper Falls and relaxed under the calming effects of the amazing scene that held my attention and soul in a timeless moment.

The upper part of Rocky Glen Falls is an amazing spurt of water similar to a smaller rendition of the Glen Ellis Falls in Pinkham Notch.  The Falls drop into a lovely inviting pool in a lonesome amphitheatre.  The amphitheatre is composed of a granite rock face that surrounds the falls and extends towards the left.  An opening in the rock face allows rushing water to pour down the before mentioned Lower Rocky Glen Falls that can be seen from the trail.

Pictured below, a previous hiker decided to have some fun above Upper Rocky Glen Falls.  These miniature cairns appear in the middle of Cascade Brook, halfway between the Upper Rocky Glen Falls that must be bushwhacked to, and the stream crossing where Cascade Brook Trail meets the apex of the Basin-Cascade Trail.  Perhaps these rock formations are a secret message to Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers that a secret Upper Falls exists with a short bushwhack down the north side of the Brook?

Back To
Hiking New England

Comments?  Suggestions?  Your Thoughts?
Email Them To: riverc0il@yahoo.com