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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bondcliff, Mt. Bond, Mt. Guyot, Zealand Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Lincoln Woods Trail, Franconia Falls Trail, Bondcliff Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zealand Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, May 20, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Most crossing are relatively easy. The 1st brach of Whitewall brooks, just before reaching Zealand hut, was impossible to ford. Hiked 0.25mi upstream and downstream to find a safe spot and couldn't find anything. Ended up using downed trees to build a makeshit bridge. The 2nd branch was OK.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Very few blaze visible in certain area of the trail. Not sure if it's because of the remaining snow.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: saw a couple of dogs. I would say it's ok to bring them.  
Bugs
Bugs: almost none 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Started off at Lincoln woods since forecast called for thunderstorm on the 2nd day and the last place I wanted to be if that hapenned was the ridge around Bond. Liberty wood trail was a good warm-up, if long. Decided to add the Franconia Falls side trip to add some sightseeing. Hit snow up Bondcliff trail about 0.5mi from the treeline, but going up was still fairly easy and we didn't put on the microspikes. Weather on the ridge was the best I've ever had in the Whites. Not a cloud in the sky, no wind, clear view all around. Just wow. Ridge is clear of snow, but as soon as you hit the trees the hike to Bond summit is all snow, with firm/soft monorail. Carefull feet placement required. Going down from Bond is more of the same. 0.2mi from the Bondcliff trail to Guyot camground was the worst. Bushwacking in waistdeep snow with now clear indication of the trail. Found the shelter by pure luck, but were very glad for it considering the amount of rain overnight.

Goind back of the next morning was just as bad, though the rain did compact the snow in some area, which helped. Going up Guyot was 100% snow with again a mix of hard/soft monorail. Decided to put the microspikes on at this point. This goes on until the junction with Zeacliff trail. From this point on the descend becomes brutal since the firm upper portion of the monorail is only about 4-6" wide and potholing means going down to your waist, knees hitting a couple of rocks on the way down and your feet ending in the stream below. We were very glad when that portion was over. About 0.1mi from Zealand hutt, you need to cross both branches of the Whitewall brook. Getting to the 1st branch we just couldn't beleive it. the overnight rain had swell the flow to the point were it was just impossible to ford because of the high current. We hike 1/4mi upstream and downstream to find a spot that felt secure enough to cross, but couldn't find anything. Ended up using downed trees to build a makeshift bridge that we could use to shuffle our way across with feet dangling in the water and using ropes to secure ourselves while crossing. 2nd branch was much easier but still far from the usual rock hopping. Stoped at the hut to empty our boots and recomposed ourselves before the easy final stretch.

Weather was much better than forecasted for both days, but the trip was still committing. Be prepared for a lot of snow, which means slow going for long stretchs of the hike. Did most of the trip without microspikes, but good thing to have them just in case. Bring plenty of spares socks.  
Name
Name: P-A, Emilie, Nic, Alex & Elie 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-05-21 
Link
Link: https:// 
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