| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bondcliff, Mt. Bond, West Bond, Mt. Guyot, Zealand Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Guyot Shelter Spur, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zeacliff Pond Spur, Zeacliff Outlook loop, Zealand Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 4, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Met at White Mountain Visitor Center across from exit 32 and left cars in back lot. My husband Charlie drove us and dropped us off at Lincoln Woods. We spotted a car at the end of Zealand Road the night before, this is a fee area (but noted that trailheads to Hale and Sugarloafs are no longer fee areas). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossing were rock hop-able |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The nonsense begins after crossing the bridge into the federally designated wilderness. If this is a trail why not maintain it as a trail? Is the purpose of having to continuously step over easily removable blow downs to remind every hiker they are in a wilderness area? Muddy areas cause trail creep. We are leaving the trails for future generations worse off than they were given to us. Or perhaps they hope that trails will deteriorate to a point that they will close them for our safety. Lots of mud at the beginning of the Bondcliff Trail. The stone staircase is in good condition and no blowdowns or stepovers anywhere from here on. Rock cairns on ridge and on summits are in good condition. Good signs from Guyot Shelter on. New work on Zealand Trail in progress--not sure why slippery trees are being used instead of the plentiful rock? |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Only for serious hiking dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
We hunted for Dawn's bear but did not find him. |
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 | Comments: |
This was the golfing gals and Bria's first outing to these peaks and some redlining for Bria too. We were on the trail by 6:30 am under cloudy skies. At Camp 16 area I walked us off the trail and up to a tent, we all walked by the invisible dark signpost. Plenty of muddy areas and washed out sections until we reached the stone staircase. Staircase and trail all the rest of the way were in clear and in good condition. While we were on Bondcliff the clouds over the Franconia Range lifted and the day just continued to improve providing the grandest panorama everywhere. Not many people out on the trails due to the previous day's rain but it did not rain heavily in this area, only the Zealand Trail was wet. Bria and I went down to the Guyot Shelter and there are many new tent platforms and the spring water tasted great. We also went down to Zeacliff Pond and enjoyed the pleasant view and the trip down to the pond was much easier than visiting the shelter. We looped the Zeacliff Outlook/Twinway--the vista from Zeacliff is absolutely wonderful and we all enjoyed an extra long break here. Everyone learned why I dislike/dread descending the Zealand Trail because the steepness never ends--longest mile of the entire traverse! At least crossing over Zealand Falls was easy. At the hut we were surprised to find a friend waiting for us (well maybe not waiting for all of us but at least one of us). Hike out from the hut went by super quick and all trees along the beaver ponds and brooks are turning colors. Looks like summer really is behind us. We spent time on all the summits and enjoyed lots of laughter together and no headlamps were necessary (back at the car at 6:30 pm). Congratulations to the golfing gals, Sarah and Sharon--only have the Kinsmans are left to complete the their 48. Back in Lincoln we had dinner at Gordi's in the ski bar, highly recommend it. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic Gal, bria |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-09-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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