| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Ethan Pond Trail, Zeacliff, Twinway, Zealand Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 19, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room in the Zealand trailhead lot. Fee lot. Toilet facility. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The Whitewall Brook crossings on the Zeacliff and Twinway trails were easy. The water level was not high. Most brook crossings on the Zealand Trail are bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good condition. The only tree falls across the trail was high up on the Zeacliff Trail in the wilderness area. They were easy step overs and would not qualify to be cut under wilderness rules. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. There is a ladder on the Twinway. I frequently see dogs on the Twinway including one today.
There is one tricky ledge high up on the Zeacliff Trail that may require owner assistance. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few flying bugs floating around. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
The trails are unusually dry. There were minor spots of mud on the Zealand Trail and near the Whitewall Brook on the Twinway. Zealand Pond and the adjacent wetlands were low on water.
I decided to hike to Zealand Mountain via the Ethan Pond and Zeacliff trails as an alternative to ascending via the Twinway. The Ethan Pond trail takes one into Zealand Notch that has many fine views. I actually followed the Ethan Pond trail a short way beyond the junction with the Zeacliff Trail in order to get a better view. I saw no hikers on the Zeacliff Trail. It rises steeply out of the notch before reaching the ridge with a moderation in the trail's grade. I saw a few blue blazes on some rocks in the upper section before the difficult ledge but otherwise the trail is not blazed yet it was easy to follow. There is a crack in the ledge rock and a rock hand hold at the top of the difficult ledge to facilitate passage. There is a fine view from the top of this upper ledge. The Twinway was a nice and easy hike to Zealand Mountain. The spur trail is signed and not muddy. There are views to the Twins through the trees from the summit of Zealand Mountain. On the return trip I walked out to Zeacliff via the short side trail. The view from Zeacliff is spectacular. Unfortunately, Mt Washington was in clouds, but Mt Jefferson and Mt Clay were visible.
Saw a male spruce grouse on the Twinway.
Nice fall foliage. The hobblebush and maple leaves were standouts.
The Zealand Hut is full serve through Oct 23rd according to a croo member.
Met two southbound AT thru hikers (NY & OH). Had a nice conversation with an experienced hiker from Farmington NH. Hiked some of the Zealand Trail with a woman from SW Ohio. Also met hikers from Chelmsford MA and Shelburne VT. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK@Roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-24 |
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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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