| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Road, Zealand Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Not too many cars in the parking lot at Zealand. Travel through Franconia Notch may be delayed for road work. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Main crossing above Zealand Hut a leap-acrosser. Others all rock steps. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in surprisingly good shape considering the recent rains and usual winter remains. A few duck-under/step-over blowdowns on the Twinway, a couple of duckunders on W. Bond Spur. A few pools/mudpits that are just a bit tricky to get around. Odd number rungs missing from ladder. Still monorail remnants in places nearing peaks but especially on both sides of Zealand, in some cases 2-3' deep still, but at this point postholing not a problem being either supportive or just sloppy. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Still enough water available most everywhere even on Bondcliff in pools, but that may not last long, then water will need to be carried. The mighty tough little dog's black fur and warmer temps led him to seek the shade when we stopped, but the monorail remnants helped to cool him down along with some stream dips. He had no problems with the stream leap, the ladder or the distance and didn't get too muddy. |
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 | Bugs: |
None! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One blue tinted wool hiking sock found on our hike back and placed on a tree branch to be obvious if the owner returned. |
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 | Comments: |
Saw one hiker early on carrying snowshoes, but although there are spots where they could be used, and more for microspikes, these spots are just too small and intermittent to be worth using either. Today the monorial remnants could be barebooted rather easily. Gaiters may be a good idea although I didn't even use mine by taking care to avoid getting snow in over the tops; poles being useful.
It was a great day by any measure, but given the recent weather and forecast it was awesome. The sun, wind, temps & humidity were so perfect whether hiking up Bond or Zeacliff at a good clip, or just lounging around on Bondcliff or some other viewpoint, it was comfy and refreshing. Only Pepper's dark fur created too much heat; he needs a white T shirt. He insisted we go down to the Guyot shelter but no one was there (caretaker isn't there yet either), but I got water which turned out to be a great idea.
We didn't see many people, a few from Lincoln Woods on Bondcliff briefly, a few coming in from Zealand later and a New Hampton School group on a 4 day adventure that spent the night at Guyot. We had the peaks and overlooks all to ourselves. For a last minute decision to take a day off from work, we had the best hike. The only way it could have been better was to share it with more. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-05-25 |
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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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