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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Hale, Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, Thoreau Falls, NH
Trails
Trails: Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zeacliff Pond Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, abandoned Wilderness Trail, Wilderness Trail, Thoreau Falls Trail, Ethan Pond Trail, Zealand Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, May 12, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking at Hale Brook and Zealand trailheads (fee). 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossings were all easy, fairly dry rock hops, with two exceptions. First, the crossing of the East Branch at the site of the former suspension bridge. Crossing was waded in knee to mid-thigh deep water, rocks moved underfoot at times, current was quite strong. Not a place to lose your balance. I would not recommend it in high water, or really much above the current water level (this was something I kept an eye on going into the hike). Second, the crossing of the North Fork just above Thoreau Falls. At current levels, the crossing at the trail is more difficult as some of the rocks are wet, and big jumps were required. Pole(s) handy.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Hale Brook, Lend-A-Hand, and Twinway all in decent shape. West Bond Spur had a couple of stepovers. Bondcliff had a few stepovers and duckunders. Wilderness and Thoreau Falls had plenty of blowdowns to negotiate, nothing recent or challenging. Ethan Pond had a duckunder not more than 1/3 of a mile from Zealand Trail. Zealand in good shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Some buzzing around, but were never bothersome. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: An LL Bean branded Nalgene (pink) found on the summit of Bondcliff, packed it out. No distinguishing marks or stickers on it. 
 
Comments
Comments: Picked this doozy of a day for this Pemi Loop of sorts. But first, here's the Ice Report.

Hale Brook had an on again, off again monorail above the crossing to just below the summit. Lend-A-Hand had a few stretches of ice, but was otherwise clear. Twinway had a solid monorail most of the way, with some open sections, especially once on Guyot. Zeacliff Pond Spur had a bunch of punchy snow on the trail. West Bond Spur had a monorail except the last 50 feet to the summit. Bondcliff Trail had a softening monorail up to Bond, an icy band just below the summit heading south, and patchy monorail to a bit above the first crossing (when descending from Bondcliff).

Other than the ice and snow that slowed us up, this was a great day to be out. That was evident, as we saw a few groups and individuals out around Guyot and the Bonds. The rest of the loop was vacant. Sunny skies ruled the day, with light breezes. Generally hazy conditions, so limited far reaching views. Never a bad day in the Pemi. Thanks Sarah for joining in on the craziness.  
Name
Name: Bill Robichaud 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bill.robichaud@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-05-12 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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