| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zeacliff Trail, Ethan Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the secondary lot off Zealand Rd. Zealand rd is open, but the main lot is not as there is active construction. Today the crew tore down the privies. So, no privies right now. the secondary lot is also a fee lot ($5 per day or WMNF pass). Iron ranger will lovingly collect your fee. This is a very popular area due to the proximity of the AMC hut. Arrive early to get a good spot. The paved portion of the road is quite rough, but fine for any vehicle. The dirt portion is freshly graded and smooth sailing for any vehicle. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The first water crossing above the hut was no issue. The second crossing required that I get my feet wet in order to make the jump. The water crossing at the bottom of Zeacliff Trail required wet feet as the "good" rocks are submerged under 2 inches of water. Maybe you could find a dry route but I find that a pointless and tedious task. I just walked through it on the rocks without issue. Plus, it was hot as all get out and the cold water felt good. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several new blow downs (3) in the upper elevations of Zeacliff Trail. Bring a friend to saw them. They're not huge, but a hand saw won't cut it (ha! No pun intended!). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There is a large ledge on Zeacliff trail that smaller breeds may need help with. Otherwise, great trails for dogs! |
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 | Bugs: |
Oh they are alive and well. A stiff breeze on Zeacliff kept them away, otherwise I kept moving to keep them off me! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Zealand Trail > Twinway (AT) out to Zealand summit and back to > Zeacliff Trail > Zealand Trail end.
Zealand Trail: well blazed in blue for any season travel. Hut has outside water point open now. Bathrooms open. Trail was snow free with minor mud.
Twinway: this is the AT and is well blazed in standard white blazes. From the hut to 4200 feet (just past the ladder on Zealand Ridge) there is no snow and minimal mud. Along the ridge are both short and long runs of disintegrating monorail. Its a gamble if it will hold your weight! I did not use spikes as they would have gotten torn up on the mostly open sections of trail. As for the monorail areas themselves, I was never in a steep section that made footing precarious while negotiating the snow areas. Plus, the snow was melting in the ferocious temps making it tacky and fine for just shoes. Zealand summit sign up, summit completely free of snow.
Zeacliff Trail: well blazed in blue for summer travel. I have never attempted this in winter so I'm not sure if the blazing is spaced so that the hiker can stay on trail. As descending, the first obstacle of the 6 foot rock ledge was dry and easy to dangle the legs off to lower oneself down to the trail below. The second major obstacle is the algae covered rock ledge that steeply dumps, I mean drops, the hiker down to a more benign section. People have been making a work around the slick rock and algae using the tender vegetation along the edge of the short cliff. I used my butt for friction and controlled slid down the rock and algae to the landing. I mean, when in Rome... After this, the trail remains very steep, but no tricky stuff. The trail was completely snow free. I may have strongly encouraged two young fellas from Ohio to take this trail. I swear! It is fun! But mostly I hoped they would take it to clear the cobwebs for me! :)!! So thankfull!!
Ethan Pond (AT): blazed in standard white blazes. Absolutely no snow. Nice, dry footbed. |
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 | Name: |
Remington 34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-22 |
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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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