| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bondcliff, Mt. Bond, West Bond, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lincoln Woods wide open |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All open and rock hoppable but a few steps might involve stepping on slightly submerged rocks. Surprisingly the third crossing of Black Brook (heading up) was completely dry. There’s a large awkward drop off a snowbank at the fourth crossing, traction and care advised as to not slide down into the brook. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As expected for April - multiple step overs and duck unders mostly once past the left turn at the bottom of Bondcliff trail. Bond to West Bond had tons of leaning trees and branches leaning into the trail but nothing unusual for this time of year - otherwise no real issues following the trails. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Maddie was a rockstar and had a great day - she was leashed at the usual spots around Bondcliff just for her safety but no specific hazards for winter hardy canines that can handle the distance and variable conditions of such a hike. |
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 | Bugs: |
None yet |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Lincoln Woods was patches of bare ground and frozen compact snow in the morning - we put spikes on shortly before the Osseo junction which helped us move quicker over the icy parts even if it meant wearing them on the dirt patches. Intermittent snow/mud/slush/damp leaves on the flats of Bondcliff trail. Snow becomes more consistent above the second crossing of Black Brook at about 2400’ - spikes were fine in the morning before things warmed up. Switched to snowshoes just past the fourth crossing as the snow was more slippery in the sun - much easier travel especially on the long side hill section. Bare boots from the Hillary Step over Bondcliff as the trail was mostly dry rock, put snowshoes back on where the trail turns right and heads back into the trees up Bond. As is typically the case this time of year the trail between Bond and West Bond was tricky with lots of branches to the face and small spruce leaning into the trail - at least 4’ of snow up high but also some great views in this section where there normally are none in the summer. Two people ahead of us did a great job tracking out the West Bond spur - it gets a bit squirrelly in a few places but gets the job done. Same pattern of snowshoes/bareboots/spikes on the way down but we kept snowshoes on longer, until the second crossing as the snow had softened during the day and this made for much faster travel on the hike down with no postholes (though several noted from people not wearing snowshoes). Highly advisable to bring snowshoes if doing this hike in the foreseeable future - yes its a long day to carry them but there’s still a ton of snow up high and they made for more efficient travel. Conditions will likely change over the coming days since it’s April but they were pretty much as good as can be expected this month and the weather was great. Long day but the Bonds in April are done - great day with Ali and Maddie and thanks Tim for meeting us with snacks and good company for the long walk out! |
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 | Name: |
Hikes with Maddie |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-04-15 |
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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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