| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Zealand Spur, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at large Zealand Trail lot off of dirt surfaced Zealand Rd. This is a good dirt road that is passable by any vehicle. Some minor postholes throughout. Gated in winter. This is a fee lot ($5 a day) or WMNF pass. Privies open, stocked. Picnic table and kiosk present as well. This is also an AMC shuttle stop. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing of significance. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Good trails for dogs. On our particular route, there was only one water point from the last flowing stream above the Zealand Hut on Twinway to the water point at Guyot campsite. Then it was dry again to Bondcliff summit. Plan for water needs. There is a ladder on Twinway (4 rungs)- did not seem to impede any dog we saw today. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies did not permit much viewing time at the summits. Bondcliff was the worst for these buggahs. I swallowed several huffing it back up Mt Bond… |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Zealand trl > Twinway (AT) > Bondcliff trl (out and back to Bondcliff summit) > West Bond Spur > Bondcliff > Twinway > Zealand trl.
Zealand: wide, well blazed in blue, gently graded, popular trail to the Zealand Hut (open year round, reservations required). Fast going. Good footing. Plenty of water points. The hut has bathrooms and an outdoor water faucet for your use.
Twinway: this is part of the AT and is well blazed in standard white blazes. Footbed like concrete. Lots of rocks… There is one short ladder to aid with a steep ledge. Spur to view off Zeacliff is signed, well beaten foot path. Bog bridges just past Zeacliff repaired (THANK YOU!! No more slapping myself in the face with loose boards). Lots of shallow mud, but there always is in snow free seasons. Talus rocks on Guyot takes some time to negotiate. Zealand Mtn Spur (0.1 miles) is signed, summit is a carin in the woods.
Bondcliff trial: not blazed, well defined footbed. Large carins mark path in exposed areas coming off Guyot mountain. Spur to Guyot campsite signed. It is a steep 0.2 miles down to the water point at the campsite. The water was running nicely. Shelter, tent platforms and bear box available at the campsite. Caretaker present to organize campers and collect funds (I think it’s still $15 per person but I didn’t camp, so I’m not sure). The ridge between Mt Bond and Bondcliff is exposed for nearly the duration. Ill advised to be on this ridge in high winds or during storms. There are many large carins to mark the path along this exposed segment. Summits marked with large carins.
West Bond Spur: not blazed, well defined footpath. Summit has a short boulder scramble. Large carin to mark summit. Great views.
My kids and I did this nearly 20 mile route in one single push. Many, many people headed out to camp at Guyot (AT thru hikers included) on this lovely summer solstice. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-06-22 |
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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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