| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Twin Mountain, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 19, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Lincoln woods which was mostly empty on Sunday - took AMC shuttle to Gale River trailhead - Gale River Trailhead was about half full sunday - Garfield lot was over flowing on Sunday with cars lining the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossings on Gale River now avoided with relocation though you cross a small tributary which is easily done, two crossings on Bondcliff were easy though a few rocks just under water - NOTE on upper crossing there is some erosion on the bank where you step up, on the lower crossing there is a farily deep pool right at the crossing you'll need to get around. Lincoln Woods - I don't recall this from last year but there is a stream crossing that is fairly significant but you can get across on rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Gale River in great shape - relocation is still getting broken in. Bondcliff - between S Guyot and the spur to the shelter there is a stretch of about 50 yards with quite a number of trees that are coming loose and leaning over the trail - easy to get under now but may pose more of a challenge in winter and when they eventually come down; Below bondcliff summit quite a few new blowdowns of small to medium size to go with the older ones most are easy stepovers though a few you need to duck under. Wilderness Trail - there are 2 new very large blowdowns; one you'll need to crouch to get under and one is a high stepover. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs on the trail today - for the adventurous canine they will need help getting up/down the steep ledge right below the Bondcliff summit. No real water along the way except at the hut and Guyout shelter until a mile or so below Bondcliff. |
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 | Bugs: |
Actually saw a few flies out today after it warmed but they weren't bothersome |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A perfect day to be out on the Bonds - nothing but sunshine and after South Twin where it was a bit chilly and windy in the morning temps were mild with little wind. I've never seen it so nice. Stayed at the hut Sunday to get a jump on the great conditions. Met a number of others at the hut that were either doing the traverse to Lincoln Woods or doing an out and back from the hut.
Gale River - the relocated section takes you pretty far from the river - on Sunday it was wet and a bit muddy but not unexpected for such a new trail.
Gargield Ridge had the usual small patches of mud along the way to the hut. Twinway also had a few minor patches of mud but nothing that couldn't be avoided; rocks heading up South Twin were generally dry.
Bondcliff - great over to Boncliff below Bondcliff there are numerous trees across the trail which are easy stepovers but just keep an eye out. There are also a few branches hanging into the trail you'll need to duck under. There is also some debris - tree limbs and logs along this stretch that you'll need to keep an eye open for but nothing to slow you down. Lots of mud in the lower section as usual - I don't think I've ever taken this trail without getting muddy boots! A few spots of running water on the trail - one real mean stretch combined with mud right before (coming down) the first (from Wilderness) stream crossing. It does look like the brook came out of its bed at the false crossing just up from the junction with the Wilderness trail though no erosion.
Wilderness trail had a couple of signs of erosion from Irene and two new large blowdowns you'll need to navigate under/over.
Lincoln Woods really did take a beating with lots of erosion on the trail and damage at the stream crossings - Looks like one of the small bridges took a hit but streams still easy to cross. NOTE: the suspension bridge is closed - trail now routes you to the pedestrian bridge on Route 112 to cross. |
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 | Name: |
Brian from Maine |
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 | E-Mail: |
brobert1@maine.rr.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-09-19 |
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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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