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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Zealand Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, November 7, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the lot at the end of Zealand Road (which is still opened)! 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Watercrossings were low and rock hoppable, even over the falls. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trail was in great shape! No blow downs. All the bridges and elevated paths were in tip top shape. A very well maintained trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Our three active dogs - lab/collie mutt, coonhound/lab mutt, westie - loved this trail. There was plenty of water access first three miles (and last three), so you can pack a little light on water for your pups. It was a pretty easy hike for them overall. There is one ladder (5 steps) between the cliffs and peak, all three hopped right up the ladder with no problem. The two bigger ones, walked right down, but the westie needed a quick ride coming down the ladder. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: What a great fall day for a hike! This is now one of my favorite trails in the Whites. From the pine forest, roaring river, various bridges, elevated walkways over the swampy sections, the falls, the hut, the cliffs. Just wow to it all! While Zealand is completely tree covered, the Zealand Cliffs make up for it, so be sure to take the turn for "The Views." The hike itself is long, hut relatively moderate. First 2.5 miles are flat, then you have about a half mile of a climb to the cliffs, but nothing too crazy. Then some ups and downs to Zealand Mountain. The trail itself was mostly dry, a few muddy spots, and some ice collection between the Cliffs to Zealand Mountain. We didn't feel the need to put our spikes on, because we could walk around or over the ice easily. There were also some traces of snow here and there, and some slick bridges, so we just walked cautiously over them. Overall, fantastic hike!

Bonus: Zealand Hut is also opened all year around with a caretaker, and I popped in to use the bathroom. Since it's off season, they didn't have any baked goods, but plenty of package goods for sale. And some Halloween candy leftover!  
Name
Name: Tang Team 
E-Mail
E-Mail: jmcend@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-11-08 
Link
Link: https://www.instagram.com/phojoski 
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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