| 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: |
Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
LW lot pretty empty at 7am...maybe 10 cars. $5/day, credit card, check, or cash. Restrooms warm and clean as usual. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The "You are entering Forest Protection Zone" sign at the base of the "Hillary Step" on Bondcliff is on the ground. I meant to grab a rock on the way down to try and pound the nails back in but forgot and I don't think a snowball was going to do it...nails are bent. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A chill Golden doing a traverse was the only pooch today. It's a long one, so your dog should be in good shape and fairly nimble to be able to get down the Step coming down from Bondcliff. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The way up was great...LW trail is still about 60% covered, but the freeze/thaw cycles have made the snow/ice grippy without traction. Bare Boots until the steeper section after the quick right turn/left turn zig zag, I think at about 2800'. Microspikes from there until the top of the Step approaching Bondcliff. Still a little snow after that, but no ice. Once out of the scrub, the snow is gone until about half way up Mt. Bond. It was nice to be walking not on snow for a while. Spikes back on when re-entering the trees about half way up Bond, and stayed on until the return from West Bond in the same spot. Spikes back after Bondcliff below the Step, and kept them on for longer on the descent as the snow that had been grippy on the ascent was predictably slushy on the way down, bare boots for the final 6 miles.
4 other Bonds hikers today, and a couple who were returning from jumping under Franconia Falls...(Brrrr!) |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-04-12 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/18085271017/overview |
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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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