Summary: hike on AT southbound from route 93 to Lonesome Lake hut over 4000′ Kinsman Peaks and to camp at a free Eliza Brook Shelter.
07:20 – I woke up in a hammock. It is very late start for the hiker. Route 93 is very audible.
08:29 – start the hike and quickly cross route 93 going southbound.
09:12 – 09:23 I am on AT going away from the noise and distractions. First and only application of bug spray – mostly on pants to stop ticks. 16 vertical miles to go to target route 112. The trail of a mixture of wet and dry sports, but my feet in Keen sandals remain dry. I am sitting on a flat slab right on the trail and my back comfortable leans against backpack. I don’t want to leave the spot. No northbound hikers yet.
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| Alex in the morning – a rare good short range photo | My backpack is serving well since May 2017 – at least 3 trips a year fir 9 years. |
10:11 – 10:40 – elev. 2100 – I am crossing Cascade Brook and taking a first break by the side of the trail. Very strange, but I am hungry again.
11:04 – I am gaining elevation and passing Kinsman Pond Trail. This is an AT shortcut, and trail will return to AT in 2.5 mi. I will be there today at 15:45.
11:48-12:30 – walked 3.41 mi – elev. 2760 – 13.4 mi remains – I rest and eat at Lonesome Lake hut. There is a big agitation here. A wedding is planned for tomorrow and they keep delivering new equipment and supplied via helicopter. I have my extensive breakfast with Grape Nuts, dried fruits and nuts and water from home. I also stock up more potable water right from the tap here. So far, I have met 17 people on the trail.
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| Lonesome Lake Hut marking the mid-day progress | Helicopter just delivered a new refrigerator, and a crew of 3 will manage all the steps on the ground |
14:33 right after hut I was held by unending Duolingo due to a stable cell signal. So, that slowed my progress
15:33 – 15:46 – walked 5.36 – elev. 3742 – remain 11.5 – I am at Kinsman Crossing – the progress is slow – a lot of ups and downs. The sun is shining, but one can’t stop – you immediately get cold.
16:09 – 16:18 – walked 5.87 – elev. 4222 – 11 mi remains – I am on top of the North Kinsman. No sign here. Nice view to Franconia Notch Valley and Lafayette Mountain.
17:02 – walked 6.68 – elev. 4333 – remains 2.5 till shelter – 10 mi to the road – I am on top of the South Kinsman Mountain. There are no signs and no clear view here. 26 hikers encountered so far. It is getting late, but I expect that the trail will go mostly down now. The sky is just tiny bit starting to cover
17:23 – on the way down I catch a view to route 112. That is where I rode my bike just yesterday.
18:22 I am passing through Harrington Pond. There is a temptation to stay somewhere here, but no – it is too wet, too boggy.
19:02 I am running along Eliza Brook with multiple but not interesting waterfalls.
19:22 – walked 8.98 mi – elev. 2401 – after 11H of hiking I’ve finally reached the destination for today – Eliza Brook Shelter – I am the only one in the shelter, but there are 2 colorful tents 50 yards away.
19:36 Got the water from the brook and washed my face and hands
19:43 there is a one cube signal, but phone will not connect. There is no wind. The river is clearly audible. Two other tents are comfortable far away.
19:54 start spreading things for the bed
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| Eliza Brook Shelter is a rare in White Mountains free venue. And not crowded. A welcome sight after 11H of hiking. | Elevation profile for the day – 9 mi. A big drop at mi 3.5mi is due to a helicopter disturbance of GPS signal |
20:16 water is on the stove for Pad Thai
20:26 second round of water is boiling – this time for tea. It is time to turn on the lights
21:14 Ok. I am in bed. Next to me are 2 teas, Lara Bar, and ear plugs. It is completely dark now. Almost all food is gone, and it means that I calculated well.
Hiking day turned out to be long – from 08:30 till 19:20. Progress at the beginning of the day was slow, with big breaks and delays. It took me 7H to go the first 5.3 mi, and the last 4 miles I covered in 3.5H.
22:02 – it will be a warmer night with 3 walls and a roof over my head. There are plenty of stars in the sky. 7.5 mi to go for tomorrow.
Navigate through the List
- 01 2026-05 Preparations for the trip one (2026/05/15)
- 02 2026-05-16 SA ME from Route 17 to AT on Pleasant Mount Rd (2026/05/16)
- 03 2026-06-17 SU ME on AT and Bemis Trail and without a trail (2026/05/17)
- 04 2026-05-18 MO ME return to bike and ride under a surprise rain (2026/05/18)
- 05 2026-05 ME short AT trip lessons and consequences (2026/05/19)
- 01 AT NH 2026-05 second trip preparation (2026/05/20)
- 02 2026-05-21 THU - jump into action mid-day (2026/05/21)
- 03 2026-05-22 FRI - first half of the AT section (2026/05/22)
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