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About
Lincoln, NH, Bethlehem, NH, Livermore, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Black Brook bed on the way to Bondcliff
The last day of a string of great weather days, it was time for a Bonds traverse.
Starting at Lincoln Woods, we made decent time up the Lincoln Woods and Wilderness Trails. Our progress slowed on the Bondcliff Trail, due to all sorts of blowdowns and leaners. While the first two water crossings were only partially bridged, the Black Brook was solid above those. As a result, the broken out route hopped onto the snowcovered Black Brook from crossing three to crossing four - a welcome relief from the blowdowns and tree branches.
Back into the spruce, it was slow going until we emerged from the trees - the ledge scramble was gone without a trace!
The views from Bondcliff were quite good, though we could see some dark clouds approaching from the south.
Our next stop was Mt. Bond. While the trail was followed across the ridge, the packed out route above the ridge was a treetop bushwhack. The summit of Mt. Bond sported 360 degree views, thanks to the snowpack - amazing.
From Bond to West Bond, the trail was almost unrecognizable, as the treetops were often at our knees. The West Bond Spur sign was at the snowline.
Eventually reaching West Bond, we once again and great views, though the south continued to darken.
The trail had not been heavily travelled at all from the spur junction to Guyot - a single set of tracks beyond the campsite. Since these tracks meandered, we opted to break out the trail proper to treeline. From the south peak to the highpoint, did a direct line across snowfields, cutting off the drop to the Twinway junction. Like Mt. Bond, the highpoint of Mt. Guyot (as compared to the south peak) had 360 degree views, thanks to the snowpack.
It was rough going between Guyot and Zealand, as the broken out route wandered around numerous blowdowns. Nearing the height of land, we opted to walk out on the treetops, then cut 20 feet into the scrub and the summit line (literally at snowline - some 6 feet of snow). Views could be found in all directions from near the highpoint.
Beyond Zealand, we opted to follow the single set of snowshoe tracks, as we knew these had come from the hut. This proved to be a mistake, as they meandered all over the place, resulting in added distance and vertical. Nearing the Zeacliff ridge, we opted to bail off this track and bushwhack straight to the spur junction area.
Now after sunset, we hustled down to the hut, took a quick break, put on our headlamps, and walked out on the Zealand Trail and then Zealand Road (plowed, but not open). A long day, but superb views nonetheless!
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The Lincoln Woods Trail trailhead
Mt. Bond and Mt. Washington as seen from Bondcliff
Looking up the Bondcliff Trail on the way to Mt. Bond
West Bond and the Franconia Ridge as seen from Mt. Bond
Looking down the Bondcliff Trail on the way to West Bond
Looking at Bondcliff from West Bond
The snowfields between the peaks of Mt. Guyot
Mt. Washington as seen from Mt. Guyot
The Twinway on the way to Zealand Mountain
The Twins as seen from Zealand Mountain
Sunset colors as seen from the Zealand Ridge
Back to Bondcliff Profile
Back to Mt. Bond Profile
Back to Mt. Bond (West Peak) Profile
Back to Mt. Guyot Profile
Back to Zealand Mountain Profile
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