| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zeacliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Ethan Pond Trail, Zeacliff Trail, Twinway |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 18, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Zealand trailhead was maybe 2/3rds full, but plenty of space in overflow parking area. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Generally not a problem. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Zeacliff Trail had several blowdowns. However it is mostly in Pemi Wilderness, so not officially maintained. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw several pooches on trails, but unsurprisingly, none on Zeacliff trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not many. Lower temps and a breeze in places provided a no-fly zone. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada |
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|
 | Comments: |
Great weather day - lower temps, sunny conditions and a breeze generally made this trip a pleasurable experience even up Zeacliff Trail - which was rather challenging but not as hard as, say South Twin from Galehead. Certainly slippery and steep in places, especially the last bit up some open rock. Would NOT recommend descending this trail. We ran into two backpackers who did so, and they commented that they did not have much fun doing so.
Also ran into 2 summer US Forest Rangers on Zeacliff trail, just after Ethan Pond trail junction. They were out to monitor & checkout the trails.
Saw very few folks until we after we had lunch on Zeacliff and had descended more than half way down Twinway to AMC Zealand Falls Hut. According to one hiker we encountered, there was one large group of young adult women who recently arrived at Zealand Hut. We ran into half ascending Twinway, and other half and many others were at Zealand Hut when we arrived. Zealand Falls running a little water, views limited by overgrowth of sapplings and trees.
Saw others both, Tourists and Hikers as we left Zealand Hut - some leaving and some heading to hut. Some prepared and some far less so. A telltale sign of tourists was one group of young adults, several looking worn out and haggard, heading up; in particular one young adult male carrying only a ziplock bag of candy and maybe trail bars but no water or pack. Several others in their group were even less prepared - carrying nothing. Thankfully, conditions were mild and it appeared these folks were not heading far: maybe to hut and then home. And there is always potable water at Zealand Hut to help out groups like this.
Hoping to go back to hike Ethan Pond trail, end-to-end. That's a really cool trail - esp the open area in Zealand Valley around the White Hall brook. Old logging railway. The talus is a pain, but the views are spectacular. But would likely start at Southern end off Rt302 to get in most of elevation gain early on. As for Zeacliff trail - we both agreed it's a "one and done" experience. It was a unique hiking experience and while we're glad we did it, but won't come back. Would rather go up Twinway to Zeacliff.
Anyways, generally speaking folks were in good spirits due to the milder summer conditions and most were having a good day. For us, we had a great day. A day in NH Mountains - it just doesn't get any better. |
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 | Name: |
Mike D and friend |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://photos.app.goo.gl/sRmnWXNCKhGms3xH8 |
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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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