| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Herd path, North Twin Trail, Fire Wardens Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 14, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Haystack Road closed. Plenty of parking at Lincoln Woods and at the end of Little River Rd. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None posed any problems. Small drainages are open but easy enough to step over. Upper crossing on Bondcliff was still bridged, others were rock hops with low water, as was the crossing on the wilderness trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Kali had a blast! |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found - 6 pack of beer and chips in the bed of Cynthia's truck at Lincoln Woods at the end of the hike! What a treat! |
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 | Comments: |
Most of the group wore snowshoes from the N Twin Trailhead to Lincoln Woods trail. A few trails were microspikable here and there - but generally snowshoes are needed most of the way. Fire Warden trail was a nice alternative to Zealand rd walk. Fresh inch of snow down low and 3- 4" or so of fresh snow up high. Lend-a-hand had seen a bare booter yesterday but was smooth sailing with the fresh snow. Twinway was a bit tricky to follow in spots as is typical with fresh snow up there. Some sticky snow at this point made for some frustrating snowshoeing. No sign visible at the Zealand spur - it is completely buried. At the summit, the Zealand sign is at knee height. From Guyot to West Bond and Bond, trail through the trees is very tight and narrow. We lost the trail a few times approaching Bond. Just enough snow cover to keep snowshoes on over and up Bondcliff. Amazing ice formations on the Bondcliff rocks from Fridays storm - we wisely opted to avoid the photo rock. The big step below bondcliff was totally filled in with snow and posed no problems. Descent on the Bondcliff trail was a bit tricky with slippery snow on the side slope. Lower Bondcliff trail has some bare spots. Wilderness trail and Lincoln Woods trail are mostly slushy snow with bare spots here and there.
Hike started with snow flurries in the morning, snow fell with more determination as the day went on. Met with wild winds and driving sleet on Guyot but our efforts paid off as skies started to clear on West Bond to reveal some spectacular views of Bondcliff and the neighboring ridges. Enjoyed some sun for most of the afternoon. Only encountered 1 chest deep snowdrift though Jeff may have tripped before measuring it. ;)
Thanks to Cynthia, Steve, Chris, Heather & Kali for great company on an awesome April Bonds traverse.
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 | Name: |
Jeff & Karine |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-04-14 |
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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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