| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain (attempt), Mt. Hale, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Twinway, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Hale Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Zealand Tr parking area still had spaces when we arrived and left yesterday. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Anything bridged was fine, but the crossings on Zealand that weren't bridge were tough. We took of our boots for two of them and were wading in knee-deep water. Crossings on Hale were fine. The crossing of Whitewall above the hut was impassable in the morning. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Actually saw a crew out on Hale Brook taking care of it, so that's good! Other trails were pretty good too. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We saw a bunch of pups out today and all seemed to be having a good time, especially with the snow on Hale. |
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 | Bugs: |
Only a bit down low when we stopped for a quick snack before the road-walk back to our car. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Water. That was the theme yesterday. The night before had brought a lot of rain to the area and snow at higher elevations. Much of our trip to Zealand Falls Hut had significant amounts of water on parts of the trail. The brooks were jumping their beds. We proceeded, determined to summit. Once we reached the hut we managed to speak to a few hikers and the caretaker. The next few crossings were basically impassable. We did check out the first one and our options weren't good. Zealand would be there another day. But instead of heading home early (and re-crossing all of the messy spots on Zealand) we opted to take Lend-a-Hand over to Hale. Very wet on that trail, too, and we started to see snow! Once we made it past the 2 upper crossings on Hale it started to get drier and we understood why people on Hale didn't look like the drowned rats we were. The crossings there were no problem! Despite our spongey boots (yup, both slipped and dunked at some point), my son not getting his new 4K, and me missing out on Zealand in May, we had a great time! The first time on Lend-a-Hand and we both really liked it. Snow in May was novel! Stay safe! |
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 | Name: |
OftheWoods |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-05-31 |
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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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