| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 19, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large lot closest to the trailhead is blocked off at the bridge. Toilets are still boarded up. Pay stations are covered with bags with a sign that payment is not necessary at this time (and no envelopes). The paved part of Zealand Rd has some craters that need to be maneuvered around. Dirt part of the road is in great shape. Lot nearly full at 7:30am due to a flock of scouts staying at the hut (passed them on their way out as I headed up to the hut). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw 2, both super friendly. Paws are probably the preferred footwear once you get up into the monorail section over 3800'. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Pink Bandanna hanging on W. Bond Spur sign. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Quick progress up to the Zeacliff lookout...a few spots of easily avoidable snow. Intermittent monorail until just past the ladder, was fairly stable and easily navigated with just trail runners. For the mile from above the ladder to Zealand, there was anything from 0-3' of monorail...sometimes supportive, sometimes not. I barebooted the whole day, but if I did it again I'd put rock spikes on at the first monorail section after the ladder to give a little purchase in the slush...they're going to take a beating as there are significant bare sections. Not many bare spots from Zealand spur to Mt. Guyot. Passed a large man with a large pack who was definitely breaking through more frequently than I was, and was not happy about it. Also met my first NoBo hiker coming down this section, then 3 more at the hut on the way out. Once you enter the trees past Guyot, out to West Bond, and up/over Bond until you come out of the trees about half way down Bond towards Bondcliff there is a lot of snow in most places, and none in others. Bondcliff is snow free. Didn't really have issues barebooting but it definitely makes progress more challenging. Was very happy to get back to the ladder on the Twinway where the snow becomes avoidable, and really appreciated the easy, dry trail from the hut to the TH after dealing with the varied conditions all day.
For the next week or so at least, expect challenging, type 2 conditions on this route with mud, snow, water and you won't be disappointed. |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-19 |
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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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