Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Bondcliff, Mt. Bond, West Bond, NH |
|
| Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
|
| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 7, 2020 |
|
| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts |
|
| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
| Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were still bridged |
|
| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No 'car wash' conditions this time |
|
| Dog-Related Notes: |
No furry friends and for good reason, this is a LONG hike! |
|
| Bugs: |
|
|
| Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
| Comments: |
After being turned away last week due to high winds between Bondcliff & Bond, I decided to return and give it another shot in similar conditions. As the knight in Indiana Jones said, "you have chosen wisely". The Lincoln Woods trail was just as firm and fast. But the snow-laden trees that were blocking the lower part of the Bondcliff trail for long sections had shed their cloaks and it was smooth sailing all the way up to the ledge below Bondcliff at treeline. This time I changed into my best mittens with dry liners and headed up again. It was 8-10 degrees warmer than last week and merely breezy up and over Bondcliff but the high winds kicked in on the long ridge approaching Bond. The snow became noticeably deeper as I wound up through the scrub but I kept microspikes on because the trail underneath was still firm with no postholing. It was tedious on Bond & West Bond due to drifting snow but I never got bogged down. Still, it took almost an hour to traverse the 3 peaks and about the same time on the return. The wind picked up noticeably on the return and I was getting knocked around like a drunk toddler on the exposed ridge. Once below treeline I was able to cruise down and made it out in just under 8 hours round trip, despite the slowness on the summit ridges and chatting with other hikers. West Bond was the last of my Winter 48's and there was nobody to celebrate with on the summit. Next year for my 60th birthday I'm going to try to solo all 48 in one single winter season. Wish me luck! |
|
| Name: |
Bob H |
|
| E-Mail: |
hynoskyb@aol.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-30 |
|
| Link: |
https:// |
|
|
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. |
|