| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Zealand Road, Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 23, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings are still higher than usual, but entirely doable. One brook flood on Zealand Trail just before the last bridge to the hut is very challenging. Some sections frozen solid, but still with open running water in the middle. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We did a two day Z-Bonds Traverse for our W4K, Dec 22-23. Thanks to the hikers who posted conditions on the higher summits earlier this week, we only carried microspikes and trail crampons. We never used the trail crampons as our sharp spikes got the job done. Got dropped off at Zealand Road and bare booted to Zealand Trail. Some ice on the road was covered by a dusting of snow. Zealand trail was a mess of washout sections with exposed gravel, solid ice flows, and a risky brook crossing close to the hut. We wore spikes most of the way due to the long sections of ice covered trail. Ascending to Zeacliff was a mix of exposed rocks and ice with some packed snow sprinkled in between. Once up to Zeacliff conditions switched to solidly packed snow with a hard crust on top. A little higher up there was a coating of 1-2 inches of fresh snow. We cruised all the way across to Mt Bond in sharp microspikes. Low wind conditions enabled us to take time for photos and eat snacks. What a treat it was to drop our heavy packs at the W Bond spur to snag that summit! The trail from Bond to Bondcliff is a mix of exposed rock and ice. Took the spikes off for most of this section. The final leg from Bondcliff summit down to the old railway bed is a mix of exposed rock, packed snow and ice. We took spikes on and off multiple times, but figured this was better than a fall. All the brook crossings in this area were still running vigorously, but we had no problem crossing with one pole for support. The hike out on LW was the usual. It was my first time hiking out in complete darkness and I really enjoyed it! This hike brought me to 45/48 for my W4K-hoping to finish soon! Have a Merry Christmas everyone! |
|
 | Name: |
Lambchop and Toad |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-24 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
