South Kinsman Mountain via Lonesome Lake and Kinsman Ridge

This route starts and ends at the Lonesome Lake Trailhead at Lafayette Place, reaching South Kinsman Mountain's summit by way of Lonesome Lake and North Kinsman. From the trailhead, follow the Lonesome Lake Trail as it climbs steadily through birch and spruce forest for 1.6 miles and about 1,000 vertical feet to Lonesome Lake, a small lake in an old glacial cirque with sweeping views of Franconia Ridge from its shore; a short walk across a bridge reaches the AMC's Lonesome Lake Hut. From the hut, continue onto the Fishin' Jimmy Trail, a rugged, technical climb of roughly2 miles and 1,200 vertical feet, aided in its steepest sections by wooden blocks and carved footholds bolted into the rock, to a four-way junction with the Kinsman Pond Trail known as Kinsman Junction. Turn left (south) onto the Kinsman Ridge Trail, part of the Appalachian Trail, and climb to North Kinsman's wooded summit, stepping a few feet east off the main trail for the best views. Continue south along the ridge, descending to a shallow col before climbing again to South Kinsman's open, cairn-marked summit. Retrace the entire route back to the Lonesome Lake Trailhead; the descent on the Fishin' Jimmy Trail is steep and technical and demands careful footing, especially when wet.