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About


West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff
Lincoln, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the V Guitar Slide on West Bond
Looking up the V Guitar Slide on West Bond

Route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, bushwhack, West Bond Spur, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail

Trails were generally dry. Hellgate valley already seems past peak in terms of foliage...brownish yellows. Some isolated color in other valleys.

Took Lincoln Woods Trail (though the refurbishing would be more than it was, but it was nice to have the new footbed where they have it) to the Franconia Brook Trail (minor/avoidable mud in places), then hopped into the woods at the Hellgate Brook crossing.

Alternated between the north and south side of the brook for awhile, looking for a herd path. Generally okay woods if you move away from the brook with plenty of logging roads (some okay for awhile, others useless). Eventually found a herd path on the north side of the brook just after it turns southeast after the tributary. Sort of lost it in open woods just prior to bailing to go the slide.

The V Guitar slide (not too much of a trek above the brook) on the south side was generally loose rock with some slabs on the left side. The loose rock gave way in places, while the slab was dry enough and at a reasonable enough angle to friction climb. After a brief spruce interlude, we picked up the narrower part of the slide and followed that to its top, then slabbed to the next slide to the east (maybe 100 feet away, but very thick), then took that to its top, then after some brief thickness, popped onto the ridge.

Initially we had good going on the ridge, but after the false bump it was thick for awhile. Near one of the last crags, we picked up a herd path and followed it to West Bond (it departs on the northwest side of the summit and goes to some very nice secondary ledges only a few dozen feet below).

West Bond Spur and higher elevations of the Bondcliff Trail were generally dry. Lots of people on the ridge.

Hadn't been on the Bondcliff Trail below Bondcliff without snow in a few years...it's unfortunate to see how quickly erosion is taking its toll. Hopefully some waterbars and steps can be built in problem places before it gets any worse. Some mud in the normal places down low. Started raining as we neared the wilderness boundary - quite a contrast to the blue sky we had first thing in the morning.

Long day, but awesome to explore some remote areas.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: West Bond
Length: Very Difficult
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Difficult
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate
Destination: Mt. Bond
Length: Very Difficult
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate
Destination: Bondcliff
Length: Very Difficult
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Heavy


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Saturday, September 21, 2013
Parking Elevation: 1,170'
Destination: Mt. Bond (West Peak)
Time Elapsed: 06:59
Trailhead Elevation: 1,170'
Summit Elevation: 4,540'
Vertical Gain: 3,620'
Destination: Mt. Bond
Time Elapsed: 00:31
Trailhead Elevation: 4,540'
Summit Elevation: 4,698'
Distance: 1 mile
Vertical Gain: 448'
Destination: Bondcliff
Time Elapsed: 00:46
Trailhead Elevation: 4,698'
Summit Elevation: 4,265'
Distance: 1.2 miles
Vertical Gain: 285'
Hike Time Elapsed: 12:51
Hike Vertical Gain: 4,503'


The Lincoln Woods Trail trailhead
The Lincoln Woods Trail trailhead

Sunrise on the Lincoln Woods Trail
Sunrise on the Lincoln Woods Trail

Open woods in the Hellgate Brook drainage on the way to the V Guitar Slide
Open woods in the Hellgate Brook drainage on the way to the V Guitar Slide

Looking down the V Guitar Slide on West Bond
Looking down the V Guitar Slide on West Bond

Looking at Bondcliff from the top of the slide
Looking at Bondcliff from the top of the slide

Mt. Garfield and South Twin as seen from West Bond - Click to enlarge
Mt. Garfield and South Twin as seen from West Bond

The Bondcliff Trail on the way to Mt. Bond
The Bondcliff Trail on the way to Mt. Bond

Looking at Mt. Carrigain from Mt. Bond - Click to enlarge
Looking at Mt. Carrigain from Mt. Bond

The Bondcliff Trail on the way to West Bond
The Bondcliff Trail on the way to West Bond

The V Guitar Slide (left) as seen from Bondcliff - Click to enlarge
The V Guitar Slide (left) as seen from Bondcliff




Directions to trailhead: To get to Lincoln Woods, take Route 112 East from I-93 past Loon to the Lincoln Woods WMNF fee parking area (left side of road).

Back to West Bond Profile
Back to Mt. Bond Profile
Back to Bondcliff Profile




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