Cannon Mountain hike offers 2 rewards

kathyboufford
Sep 2, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Apr 5

CANNON MOUNTAIN – KINSMAN RIDGE TRAIL TO CANNON MOUNTAIN AERIAL TRAMWAY

CAFÉ 4080’

MARCH 3, 2024

Strolling into a mountain top ski lodge with micro spikes in hand has the tendency to make one prideful. The skiers look at you funny. Something is off. No helmet. No ski boots. That combo look on your face of dog tired and elated. It takes a few seconds, but the skiers eventually realize that you hiked up the mountain. Most give you a nod or a smile. A few ask about the trip. “How hard is it to climb?” “What trail did you take?” “Where is the trailhead?” Today, this took place at Café 4,080’, home of the highest taps in New Hampshire. More on that later.

The day started off kind of iffy.

The forecast called for moderate winds and some precipitation. Do we want to be on a ridge trail with moderate winds? I wasn’t sure, but I got up and ready bright and early to meet our hiking partners for breakfast. We had planned on a local sugar shack, and I had visions of fluffy pancakes loaded with the house maple syrup and a side of ham steak. We put our order in, took a sip of coffee and BAM! the electricity went down. It was an electric transformer issue. I wasn’t getting pancakes for breakfast. Now, if it were up to my husband, we would have bagged breakfast to keep on schedule. But it wasn’t up to him. I and our friends were not about to embark on this hike on an empty stomach. So, we said our goodbyes to the sugar shack and continued to a local coffeehouse. The coffeehouse did not offer pancakes and I knew that. But it was still hard not to be disappointed when I was handed a perfectly toasted, chewy and tasty french toast bagel with cream cheese. Oh well.

Reward #1: The Tram

According to my husband, the breakfast detour “cost” us about an hour. So, he sent me ahead to get the tram tickets while he got the hiking gear ready and everybody else changed clothes at the base of Cannon Mountain. The tram tickets were kind of like a fantasy coming true for me. You see, my husband is the real hiker. I’m kind of like a wanderer. When I get tired, I slow down. I take water breaks. Sometimes, to my husband’s great dismay, I take breaks even without the need for water. I look down way more than I look up (so as not to trip or see how far I still have to go) and sometimes things catch my eye, a flower, a pinecone, a salamander. More stops. When I do look up, I stop to take in the view (and to not trip). My husband, being the gentleman that he is, stops when I stop. He probably also figures he can get me moving again faster if he is there to prod me along. This is not my husband’s preferred hiking style. When not with me, he practically runs up the mountain. He looks straight ahead, knows exactly where he is going, keeps track of landmarks and doesn’t trip. If he gets thirsty (which is practically never) he drinks along the way. Any required stop lasts no more than a few minutes and he does not get distracted by salamanders. While I practice mindfulness and enjoy the trip, my husband’s preoccupation and goal is to reach the summit. At times it’s a challenge and there are days when I think only one of us is going to make it back to the trailhead. Somehow, we manage to enjoy many hikes together.

Anyway, all of this talk concerns going up the trail. We haven’t even talked about the descent. Most hikers agree that going down a mountain is often more difficult than going up. It’s harder on you knees and feet and there is a greater chance of slipping and falling – especially in wet conditions. And you don’t have the summit to look forward to. I’ve often said that I wished there were zip lines at the top of the mountains so that I wouldn’t have to hike down. There are no zip lines on Cannon Mountain but there is an aerial tramway (tram for short). I was told by the tram operator, Terry, that Cannon Mountain’s tram is one of only three in the Northeast and the only one in New Hampshire.

The tram, located at the summit, is used to transport sightseers, skiers and snowboarders from the base of the mountain to the summit. For me, it was going to be my dream come true – a way down the mountain without having to hike. You have to purchase your ticket at the base so be sure to plan ahead! So, this is what I was to do to save time while the others were getting ready. Receipt in hand, I went back to the car to get myself prepared for our hike. It was then I noticed that it was pretty windy. Undeterred, we all headed to the trailhead in the corner of the parking lot.

The Hike

Just as we were getting on the trail, we met a man who was finishing his hike. He was upper middle aged and appeared extremely fit. He was wearing Cramp-Ons, not micro spikes like we had on. We asked him how the conditions were. He noted that there were many icy spots that were a bit difficult to navigate and some nasty freezing rain once you hit the open area near the top. But he smiled wide and said it was a great hike. We located the sign for Kinsman Ridge Trail and were on our way. I was happy I wouldn’t have to deal with the ice on the descent.

It was a great hike. It’s about two miles to the top. Perhaps the shortest way to the top of a 4000’ mountain in New Hampshire. The beginning is pretty steep. There was ice but the micro spikes did the trick. Most of the trail was hard packed snow. Although I’ve shied away from winter hikes due to ice, my husband is of the opinion that these are often easier than hikes in other times of the year, provided your not the one breaking first snow. Accumulated snow covers all the boulders, tree roots and fallen branches that you would normally be required to navigate were they exposed. This is a lot of extra leg work and tripping hazards. Although we were going up, it was an even incline requiring only putting one foot in front of the other. Most of the trail is heavily wooded which blocks the wind. Because it was winter, I could see the tram line and, occasionally, a tram, through the hardwoods. The trail eventually becomes less steep and gradually becomes almost flat as you enter the upper boreal region. Here the thick evergreens seemed to be blanketing me as I proceeded down the trail. I stop and take it in. It’s quiet and peaceful.

A bit further I start to hear birds, which my husband has told me is a sign we are near the top of a mountain. At the same time, I noticed the red splotches in the snow from the berries they were apparently eating. As we approached the open area at higher elevation we could start to feel and hear the wind. The evergreens immediately gave way to rock spotted with neon green lichen and short, scrubby looking bushes. It was as if we went from one room in a house to the next. The wind slapped us out of our revere and the view of Franconia Notch and beyond commanded our full attention. There was no freezing rain. Apparently, our later-than-planned arrival was a blessing. It’s best not to get too worked up over things. You never know.

From there, you have to do a final push up to the top and along the ridge. With the views come cliffs which the trail follows perilously close. No tripping allowed here. Go around the bend to the Cannon Mountain observation tower and climb up if you are so inclined. Having been up before this past summer, I was not. My mind was on getting into the 4080’ Café and quenching my thirst.

4,080’ CAFÉ - Reward #2

Located at the top of Cannon Mountain is 4,080’ Café. There is a large bar with plenty of windows (and seating) to enjoy the view. Outside decks are also available for eating and picture taking. Cafeteria-style food, typical for ski lodges, is offered. You can hike to it, or you can purchase a ticket for the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to take you there from the parking lot at the base of the mountain. The tram ride is about 10 minutes long with 360-degree views of the White Mountains. Among the many offerings on tap is Cannon Ale, which of course was my choice of beverage being on Cannon Mountain. It is brewed by Woodstock Inn Brewery. I’m not usually an IPA fan, but this beer is low in bitterness and heavy on the hazy. It’s got just enough punch to be interesting but not enough to make me pucker. Very drinkable and satisfying. Try it. You won’t be disappointed.

The Reason to Visit: It’s the highest tap in New Hampshire! ‘Nuff said.

Fun Fact: The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway was the first passenger tramway in North America. The ski trails were developed because of it, not the other way around.

When you go: Take in the air and scenery from one of the decks.