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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Guyot, Zealand Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, Zealand Spur, Zealand Trail, Zealand Road
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, February 27, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Winter lot for Zealand Road, just up the street at the end of Lower Falls Road, is well-maintained, not particularly icy at all. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Really not bad. The first one next to the Twinway/Lend-a-Hand trail junction was dicey (and icy rock), but a short bushwhack led to a more sure way across. Later in the day, on the way back, more melting had occurred, and water levels were noticeably lower, so we were able to make it across easily. The rest along that lower section of the Twinway between the hut and Zeacliff were relatively easily overcome with a medium to longer jump. It would seem some of these will break down further if these higher temps continue, so be ready for tough crossings... 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Some ducking/skirting required along the upper elevations; likely nothing you'd have to deal with once the several feet of snowpack melts. All were easy to overcome. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Twinway (from hut), Bondcliff Trail (only from Twinway junction to the Guyot throne), then back on Twinway to hut, and out Zealand Trail and Zealand Road to Route 302

This was Plan B for a south-north Bonds/Zealand traverse, which was to see me complete my W48 with the Bonds being 46,47,48. Plan A failed due to a major boot breakdown: the entire sole of an older set of my friend's Koflach hard-shell mountaineering boots snapped off about 2 miles in. Decided new boots were in order, and instead headed in from the north to stay at Zealand Falls hut on Day 1, then make a run for all the Bonds and back to the hut and out on Day 2. We made it to the Guyot throne by 12:50pm on Day 2 but decided it prudent to turn back due to high winds (50-60mph), a lack of time to get back to Route 302 at a reasonable hour, and generally worn-out bodies (including my own). But, we had a good time nonetheless. (Stay tuned for a trip report on VFTT, under the alias HikerSinger.)

Water crossings continue to be a concern, as recent higher temps have caused water ways to swell and take out many snow/ice bridges. But otherwise, trail conditions are really quite good, even up high. Above treeline, it's mostly just rock-hopping with a bit of ice. Under treeline, it's essentially a packed frozen granular track, with little to no give -- branch swiping abounds, though, as you're right up in the canopy, several feet off the ground. In the lower elevations, snow is softer, but still relatively packed. The Twinway between the hut and Zeacliff is a posthole and "snowshoe sink" mess, so snowshoes are advised, mostly for safety (heel lift helps a ton on the ascent, of course, anyway).

I'll be back in the next week or so to get the Bonds, probably as a day hike from the south. Possibly dicey stream crossings notwithstanding, trail conditions are pretty prime!  
Name
Name: Erik Bertrand 
E-Mail
E-Mail: erik@bertpc.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-02-28 
Link
Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/882906059 
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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