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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH
Trails
Trails: Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, November 13, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Both Zealand and Lincoln Woods lots were largely empty when we parked/retrieved cars, both are fee lots. Zealand Road is clear of snow and ice, and still open (it should stay that way until early December). 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All crossings on this route were crossed without issue. Black ice was present on rocks in the morning. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A sit-and-spin ~8" blowdown on the Twinway, I think it was between Zeacliff and Zealand. Scattered minor step overs and leaners here and there, particularly on the lower Bondcliff Trail, but nothing that poses an issue right now. The lower Bondcliff Trail has the same steadily widening significant mud pits, trail erosion is getting bad on the one in particular (1-2mi up from the old Wilderness junction). A pair of bog bridges or some good stepping stones would greatly ease the impact on the surrounding woods. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Marlie was the only trail dog we saw, she had a great time all day, and even handled the high winds across the Bond-Bondcliff Ridge like a champ. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: A mixed bag of conditions on this hike, as is to be expected this time of the year. Zealand Trail was mostly ice-free until the final ascent to the hut, but we barebooted without issue. Above the hut the ice became more common, but we still made it above Zeacliff without traction with care. We probably should have put the spikes on partway up from the hut, but we did eventually put them on somewhere between Zeacliff and Zealand. Spikes stayed on until treeline on Guyot, and went back on at treeline descending to the shelter spur (above treeline was more rock than ice and easily navigated with bare boots). Once leaving the trees off Bond heading to Bondcliff we retired the spikes for the day as there was little ice above treeline, and even the descent off Bondcliff was more soft snow than ice (the sun and fairly warm temps aided this greatly). The Hilary Step at treeline was bone dry. All snow and ice disappeared shortly below the upper crossing on the Bondcliff Trail, and it was mid-fall conditions from there on out, with tons of leaves hiding roots and small rocks, and the occasional mud pits.

A windy, but otherwise nice day for a Zealand-Bonds traverse, though we may have been the only ones to do so on this day. We ran into over a dozen backpackers between Zealand and Guyot who must have spent the night at the Guyot shelter/tent platforms. Other than that we saw 3 day hikers, one who appeared to be doing an out-and-back of the 3 Bonds from Lincoln Woods, and our friends Chris and Kyle who were out exploring in the Pemi. Clouds in the morning broke for nearly cloudless skies in the afternoon, and the sun and roughly 40 degree temps were pleasant. The wind was quite strong and gusty at times, especially along the ridge between Bond and Bondcliff where the valley was funneling and concentrating the winds up and over the ridge, we were getting pushed around pretty good by the winds at times in there. The actual summit of Bondcliff (and Bond) was fairly calm though, only 5-10mph, and we lingered for a while before hitting the long push out. Thanks to Patrick, Ian, and Marlie for a great Sunday hike.  
Name
Name: madmattd 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-11-14 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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