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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, NH
Trails
Trails: Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, November 8, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Zealand Rd was still open. It will likely be gated by the end of next week. Able to drive up this road in a 4 wheel drive SUV without issue. Parking area at the trailhead can hold at least 20 cars. Three cars when we arrived, 6 when we left. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All are rock hoppable. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blue blazing on the Zealand trail is very faded. Blazes are sparse. Trail is still easy to follow. Some blow downs on Twinway that are negotiable. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No obstacles to pose an issue. Plenty of water still flowing. 
Bugs
Bugs: Nope! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Zealand trail is poorly blazed (faded blue blazes, sparsely marked) but still simple to follow. The privies at the trailhead are closed. Approximately 2-4 inches of snow covering this entire trail. Wonderful bridges on this trail. Also nice gentle grade made for quicker traverse. Good signs along this trail at intersections.

Zealand hut is open year round. Helpful, friendly caretaker present. Great weather warnings and data. Beautiful hut!

Twinway is Twinway. Rocky, rooty, even with 4-6 inches of powder snow covering the entire trail. Traction would be very helpful. We were able to bareboot, but made for slower going. Not yet enough snow for the snowshoes. The trail was easy to follow (though warning: we had been on this trail two weeks ago with the layout still fresh in our heads). Standard AT white blazes the entire trail. Zealand Spur has a nice sign. Good signage along Twinway.

The wind was ferocious today. In the trees it is not felt, though the freezing temps were. As we were heading for Bondcliff Trail on Mount Guyot, the wind whipped our faces and knocked us around. We decided NOT to take the Bonds today. Ce la vie! The mountains will be there another day! Plus it was snowing the entire time obscuring our tracks made just an hour or so prior.

Moral: winter has come. Pack the pack accordingly.  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-11-08 
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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