| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, Mt. Bond, West Bond, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, March 4, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Monster day, harrowing experience. Had hoped to get to Bondcliff for my 48th all season and to check it off the winter list as well. After reading some trail reports and talking to the caretaker at Zealand it was clear this would be very ambitious as there where several parties attempting recently that had to turn back. I spent the night at Zealand Sunday night after peaking Hale. Plan was to out and back to Bondcliff on Monday. Up to Zealand was relatively straight forward with tracks visible most of the way though I never did find the Zealand sign. It's either buried or 6" above the snow. From there it gets much more interesting. Branches in your face all day, stooping under branches, trying to find and stay on the trail. Snowed most of the day so any tracks from the group that succeeded Saturday where long gone. Bypassed West Bond outbound, saving it for the return. Made it to Bond and it was easy decision not to continue to Bondcliff. All the time spent wayfinding and the reliance on the GPS made me very wary of getting caught out there, I had sleeping bag/bivy sack but forecast was for very cold weather moving in. If the batteries died on the GPS I felt I would be in big trouble. Headed back to West Bond and that turned out to be a time consuming bushwhack as the trail was very difficult to follow and the summit area had about 3-4' of drifted snow to wade through to get to the top. Once back on Bondcliff Tr I anticipated a quicker trip back as I would have my own trail to follow--wrong! Most of my tracks had been filled with new falling snow and/or drifted over. At Guyot Peak the wind had really picked up and I could see maybe two cairns ahead, very quickly it escalated and I couldn't even see the next one. Very concerning. Made it through the peak area and definitely no tracks of mine to follow so still slow going with night falling. Constant checking of the GPS, maps, and hints of footprints made for a stressful return until Zealand when it was easier. 11 hours total and no Bondcliff but didn't question the decision to turn around for a second. Be prepared for a very long day however you approach this hike, the amount of snow on the ground and in the trees is amazing. |
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 | Name: |
Dylan |
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 | E-Mail: |
dylan925@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-03-05 |
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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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