| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand summit spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, May 20, 2010 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Zealand Road open. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
tricky crossing Zealand Falls just above the hut. Takes a "leap of faith"! I made it with pack on going out (hip-belt undone) but felt the need to throw pack across coming back. Trekking poles or walking stick mandatory. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blowdowns galore from Zeacliff towards Zealand peak. hard to keep on trail on times. Lots of snow in spots but very manageable without snowshoes. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
not sure how a pooch would be able to cross the falls. I met caretaker Doug at the hut going out and meant to ask him if there are any alternate crossing areas on the way back but he was out enjoying the beautiful day. |
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 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
left Zealand parking lot at 6:45am. Nice easy walk all 2.5 miles to hut. I could hear the falls from about a mile away. Be sure to look right at the beaver pond for a great shot of the hut and falls at about 2.2 miles. Had a nice chat with caretaker and discussed conditions. Only a short walk from the hut you have to cross the top of the falls and it is not for the feint of heart. I made it with pack on going out (hip-belt undone) but felt the need to throw pack across coming back. Trekking poles or walking stick mandatory. I bushwacked a little looking for a safer place to cross but didn't find anything. If you go I recommend asking the caretaker if there is an easier place to cross, because going out you kind of jump down to a wet rock, but coming back you have to jump up from a wet rock onto a wet rock, so there is a very real chance of slipping either way, and whether you would be able to cling onto a rock and prevent yourself from going over the falls is unknown.
From there, its a rather easy climb at this point. I ran into monorail at around 2500 ft but no problems with postholing if careful. Once on top, before the Twinway-Zeacliff trail intersection, I highly recommend taking the short walk to the view from Zeacliff. it is absolutely one of the most impressive views in the Whites. First time I have seen the backsides of Tom, Field and Willey.
After passing Zeacliff Pond spur, the trail goes up a steep section but no problems there. After that, the blowdowns are pretty impressive and completely block the trail at several points. Be careful on snow around and near them and watch for the blazes, its easy to get off-trail.
The worst part of the snow is actually the .1 mile spur to Zealand summit. Very narrow trail, plus water, mud and snow made it tough and my boots got soaked (mini-gaiters help tremendously). Took summit shot at small cairn. Note the memorial stone placed on the cairn, I won't mention the name out of respect for friends and family, but it was a solemn reminder to make the best of every day and enjoy the outdoors. I am 10 years older than the blessed deceased.
So with plenty to think about, I headed back and hiked down to Zeacliff Pond, its well worth the short hike. Back to Zeacliff view and had my lunch on the open ledges in the warm sun, changed to dry socks and shirt, and back to the parking lot at 2:30pm after spending about 15 minutes at the hut talking to some young Harvard leader-trainees. |
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 | Name: |
Hikin Ike |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2010-05-21 |
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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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