Also on this trip

Trails Used

North Twin Trail, Fire Warden's Trail, Lend-a-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, North Twin Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Tried the Fire Warden's Loop for the very first time and found it to be a great 18-mile loop hike connecting some mountains that aren't commonly hiked together. Much thanks to SectionHiker.com for the hike description. I do have to say that starting with Hale and ending with North Twin was probably the correct choice, with the better views on the hike coming later in the day. The Fire Warden's Trail is very easy to follow, well-graded, and obviously maintained by some devoted locals. Finding the beginning of the Fire Warden's Trail wasn't hard, but I do feel like it deserves a sign at this point. The remaining trails were the usual July experience in the White Mountains. Zealand Falls Hut was busy and I was happy to see some leftover peach cobbler available for a small price.

Parking

Parking at the North Twin trailhead had overflowed onto the side of Haystack Road by the time I got there late morning, but was not far down the road. Available spots had already opened up at the trailhead too. Campsites along Haystack Road were well-populated during a warm summer weekend.

Water Crossings

There is now, as far as I can tell, only one crossing of the Little River on the North Twin Trail. It is located right where the trail begins gaining elevation up the northeast side of North Twin. Crossing was rock-hopped with moderate difficulty on this hike. The two previous crossings have been eliminated.

Wildlife

Bugs weren't too bad this hike. I did use a lemon-eucalyptus-based repellent and that helped compared to past weeks.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Pemi East Side, Bushwhack, Osseo, Franconia Ridge, Garfield Ridge, Twin Brook, Frost, Twinway, West Bond Spur, Bondcliff, Wilderness, Lincoln Woods

Trail Conditions

Notes

Standard (almost) Pemi Loop from Lincoln Woods. This is the easiest loop, and it's still possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. I took the East Side trail about 1.7 miles and then broke toward the river to cross. Look for the spot where the river is straight and wide, with a large eroded dirt cliff on the far side. This cliff is directly at the end of the Osseo Trail. I crossed toward the downstream end of the cliff and was never more than thigh deep. The water is cold and moving pretty fast. I'd recommend poles or a stick for balance. Once I hit the shore, there was a trail of orange tapes leading up to the LW Trail. Turn RIGHT and you'll see the Osseo in a hundred yards or so. I left my wet shoes there for the return trip, but you might consider carrying them so you can cross farther up (less water) on the way back. I wouldn't recommend a barefoot crossing, and would consider scoping/trying out the crossing(s) on a day when you are not doing the hike. I spent a lot of time and energy on that. Crossing back when it's dark and you're tired will be difficult.

Parking

Lincoln Woods lot was nearly empty at 5am on a Wednesday, and again at midnight.

Water Crossings

All trail-based crossings were easily managed, but last crossing on Wilderness Trail near Lincoln Woods Trails was a bit tricky in the dark.

Wildlife

Not bad at all, but it was quite breezy to windy most of the day. The biggest problem was all the moths dive-bombing my headlamp on the way out.

Trails Used

Zealand Trail : Twinway : Bondcliff Trail : West Bond Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Lots of standing and/or running water on the Zealand Trail and the Twinway. Lots of mud on both trails often with rocks emplaced in the mud to facilitate stepping without immersion in the mud. The Bondcliff Trail and West Bond Spur were generally dry. Superb views from Zeacliff, Guyot, West Bond, and Mt Bond. Zealand Falls and the cascades below and above the falls were impressive due to the high water flow. Many hikers out today. Many based their hikes from the Zealand or Galehead huts and Guyot Campsite. One man in the process of a direttissima hike. Met one northbound AT thru hiker from Illinois and a Quebec hiker section hiking the AT. One Pemi Looper starting and ending at Liberty Springs.

Parking

Plenty of room in the fee parking lot at the Zealand trailhead. Outhouse available. Zealand Road is passable for all vehicles. The asphalt at the beginning of the road is lumpy with some voids in the tar.

Water Crossings

The water was running high. One of the crossings on the Zealand Trail was more difficult than usual. The stream bank was breached with water running down the trail. Many of the brooks were spanned by bridges. The crossing of Whitewall Brook on the Twinway was easy despite the high water flow.

Wildlife

None

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zealand Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Nothing super noteworthy. Knowing Lincoln Woods Trail will be closing on Monday, June 15, a traverse was in order. A slightly unconventional way to do the traverse by starting at LW, but it was better mentally to not have to do the LW death march at the end of a long day. This direction does add around 800ft of elevation gain to the traverse, but being able to refill water at the end of the day at Zealand Hut was oh so welcomed. The weather was absolutely perfect yesterday and lots of people were out enjoying the day. A few NH48 finishers on West Bond!

Parking

Dropped a car at Zealand lot the night before. Lincoln Woods had a few lucky spots at 7:45am but most people were still parking on the side of 112. Both lots have a $5 fee per day or require a WMNF parking pass.

Water Crossings

No issues on any of the crossings.

Wildlife

Not the worst, but bug spray was helpful in the woods and swampy areas.

Trails Used

Zealand Trail, Twinway

Trail Conditions

Notes

Mud in the usual spots. Views were fantastic today. It was the perfect day for this one aside from the bugs. We were expecting it to be more windy.

Parking

Nabbed a spot in the lot at 10:30. Felt like I should buy a lottery ticket.

Water Crossings

Easy rock hops

Wildlife

Lots of black flies above roughly 3200 feet, especially in the open.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods

Trail Conditions

Notes

Wet drippy moist soggy moisture on todays fine zbonds lap. Overall pretty speedy due to motivation to keep moving to maintain correct body temperature and lack of views. Trails were already staring to dry out as the sun peaked thru at times during death march boredom and ground absorption was well under so only minimal puddles on LW. Felt pretty comfortable out there for how soppy of a morning it truly was

Parking

Both lots 1/3ish full

Water Crossings

All rock hops

Wildlife

Pretty nonexistent in the am, came out mildly w/the sun in the evening, first slow and dumb mosquitoes of the year

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur,

Trail Conditions

Notes

The trails are in fine shape. There are areas with standing water and some mud but it's really a non-issue. This was an out and back from Zealand to close out my single season spring and I wanted to get it done before the rain came in this weekend. The biggest issue is the bugs. Bring bug spray and a head net. It's a long miserable day without them. I was tickled to see Celeste and Lynda headed to Bondcliff as I was slogging my way back up Bond. Then we caused a traffic jam on the Bondcliff trail when I bumped into Kyle and Justin and Athena. It's always nice to catch up with friends while feeding the bugs. 6th consecutive single season in the bag. :)

Parking

There were a handful of cars in the Zealand lot at 4:15am. More cars in the lot upon my return but still open spaces. Bathrooms are open and there is a trash can for garbage.

Water Crossings

Easy rock hops.

Wildlife

I thought the bugs were bad yesterday on Lincoln and Lafayette. Nope. Bond and Bondcliff were worse. I donned my extremely fashionable head net once on West Bond and wore it for a good portion of the day. They were swarming around the net and the little creeps that made it under the net still bit. I only saw 2 other people wearing head nets today but at least 6 people admired mine and said they wished they had brought one. So embrace your inner Uki, and bring your head net. Your sanity will be saved.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails are in great condition for the crush of pre-LW closure hikers over the next few days. Between Zealand and Guyot was some of the last bits of snow still hanging around before Winter completely lets us out of her grasp (its 3x tiny areas each about the size of dinner plates). If you'll be part of the pre-LW closure hikers this weekend, please pack out your trash (see L&F notes above). Traffic will probably get much lighter starting Monday, so there won't be as many hikers to do the normal trail-sweeps and grabbing all the little bits of trash here and there Happy Hiking!

Parking

Both park pass/fee lots, Zealand Lot was over half-full today. The push for pre-LW Trail Closure hikes is going to fill up these lots pretty early each morning thru the end of the weekend. Zealand Rd is back open in its pothole glory. Probably just plan for double or triple the drive-time that Google maps gives you from 302 to the trailhead...

Water Crossings

All easily rock-hoppable

Wildlife

Annoying, but if you kept moving they really weren't a bother (stop for a snack and they made themselves known)

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Pemi loop over three days. Stayed at Liberty Spring and Guyot Tentsites.

Trail Conditions

Notes

Lovely weather. Best Spring conditions I've ever seen. Glad to have made it out before Lincoln Woods Closure

Water Crossings

Rock Hopping. All crossings were easily crossable by wading or rock hopping.

Wildlife

Gnats and maybe one black fly came out on the final of our 3 days as we returned to Lincoln Woods.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Lincoln Woods Trail, Osseo Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Awesome pemi this morning-started at 2:45 to minimize heat, bugs, and potential afternoon thunderstorms. Saw fewer than twenty hikers all day (no other trail runners), and had every summit minus Liberty to myself! Strong winds and big old clouds kept it comfortable until the eight mile run down from Bondcliff, which felt like I was running through hell it was so dang hot with minimal leaf coverage in the hardwoods. Leave the spikes at home! There was one stretch of stubborn unavoidable snow just before breaking treeline on Guyot. It only lasted five minutes. It was reported that the Zealand-Guyot stretch is still deep and nasty as of this morning. Top of Garfield and West Bond essentially all melted out. Get it before the LW closure!!!

Parking

Tons of space today

Water Crossings

Easy rock hops

Wildlife

Early start and elevated winds kept all the nasty buggers away. There were lots of regular old flies along the ridge in the woods but they were minding their own business!

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Overall, a soggy day. Lots of water on trail, lots of drainage issues. I kept my feet mostly dry, except for a dunking above Zealand Hut. Waterproof shoes (or my waterproof socks) would have helped. I wore my spikes climbing out of the col after Zealand to the Twinway, but that was it. West Bond is still iffy for needing spikes. Glorious blue sky day!

Parking

Full parking lot at Lincoln Woods as people are getting in hikes before the closure.

Water Crossings

Lots of water after recent rains. All rock-hoppable with some patient route finding. I did dunk a foot above Zealand Hut, but it was not a dangerous crossing.

Wildlife

Not an issue except perhaps on the Lincoln Woods exit. They are definitely awake and ready to drive us crazy1

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand, Twinway, Bondcliff, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trails

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Good conditions overall for May but rain in the forecast followed by warm weather so I expect water crossings will be higher and snow will be less but monorails might be more unstable and prone to postholing. 1st snow at 3400' below Zeacliff then semi consistent at 4k' below Zealand summit but not worth traction as the snow lasts maybe 100' then peters out. Starting in the col between Zealand and Guyot the monorail is pretty much consistent but the snowy monorail was stable and sticky so no spikes needed although that could change with the warm weather. The monorail is high and narrow in places. At treeline on Guyot it's bare ground until back in the trees. Then it's a snowy mostly consistent monorail out to West Bond and quite narrow and high. But again no spikes needed until descending where I donned my rock spikes for safety until back out on the Bondcliff Trail. Up to Bond was inconsistent snow and monorail so I removed the spikes and barebooted the rest of the way to Lincoln Woods. There were a few short stretches and patches of snow coming off Bond and Bondcliff but easily avoided. Essentially I was able to bareboot most of the 19 miles except the except the West Bond Spur Trail and even there I really only needed them for the quarter mile descent into the col. But spikes are still warranted with the ever changing spring conditions and the high and narrow monorails on Guyot and West Bond.

Parking

Plenty of room at the Zealand Trailhead at 6 am, just one other vehicle. And plenty of room at Lincoln Woods at 645 pm. Restrooms open at both parking lots.

Water Crossings

All water crossings were easy rock hops with dry feet.

Wildlife

Happily none but you know they're getting primed as soon as it warms up.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand Road, Zealand Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Wilderness Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

A FINE day in the forest. I relinquished my crown and let Pretzel borrow it for her "Queen for a day" hike. Zealand Road is snow free, but still soft enough that I do not think it will open this week, especially with substantial rain and potential snow forecasted later in the week. Of note, Zealand Hut's pump is down and you cannot get water, you have to filter from the river. Take that into consideration if you're like me and went light for the first 6 miles. Snowshoes would be more of a safety hazard given the current trail corridors and threads. However it is spring, and things change from the morning to the evening. So use your judgement. Our group maybe added a handful of postholes, total, over the 23.25 miles. It's firm. Snow enters probably around 3200 on this side, which traditionally has a lot more snow than the LW side. We donned spikes for efficiency much earlier than Chris' report, mainly out of efficiency. These stayed on until Guyot I believe, despite the first part of the ridge being bare. Probably somewhere around 3500. Firm monorail to start giving way to all snow with a shallow rail beginning to form. Where to step is quite evident, regardless. Muskrat's Zealand spur sign is there, which the odd little shape is actually the tallus slope as viewed from the Twins! Definitely the "jackpot" zone of snow between Zealand and Guyot, we are talking feet here, ~4'+ still judging by tree wells and knowing the corridor is about 8' tall and getting branches at my waist. Firm trails to here, though as the krumoltz got smaller, around noon, about an inch of corn snow atop. Spikes off at helipad, back on as we entered treeline on the other side of Guyot. Firm trail/rail intermixes from here, to West Bond, to Bond. West Bond rail was not as consistent or firm as what was encountered thus far - likely due to full late April sun. Spikes off at timberline, and back on just below Hillary's Step. Ridge to cliffs completely bare. Zero wind let me sit out on the photo rock. While mostly firm, the rail from Hillary's to about 3275 is rotting rapidly and unstable. How long it will continue to be viable remains to be seen. Spikes off here, and rest of day was just the death march out. Of note also, I did wear trail runners and only got damp feet on the way out - due to no longer caring about self preservation. So that should be an indicator of current trails. Congrats to Pretzel on making April, Zealand, and the Bonds all red!

Parking

Zealand was ~25% full at 630. I assume most folks have taken off for warmer weather. LW was less than this upon finish

Water Crossings

No issues with crossing above Z hut. All four seasonal crossings of Black Brook are flowing, but easily hoppable

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Zealand Road, Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Well that was one of the sloggiest slogs I ever slogged. I decided to pivot to this hike after waking up to a favorable weather report. Temperature in the 50s, no/light winds and no rain. Trail conditions in a word are slow-going. I barebooted until about about a mile in from the trailhead then put on microspikes from there until Lincoln Woods. There were many stream crossings on the trail up to the hut as water was flowing pretty good. There were stable, unstable and knife edge monorails and hard pack trail which was difficult to see at times and plenty of times I found and plunged into the soft edge. From the top of the big climb up to Twinway until the breakout to Guyot and to and from West Bond, I got carwashed by the trees and was soaked through. I was very thankful for the high temperatures. Over Bond, there was intermittent snow but mostly rocky trail to Bondcliff then snow again in the woods until about a mile or two from Lincoln Woods. It was nice to see Steven again on Zealand road but there were no other humans on the trail. So, yay for me! I'm so glad to grab the peaks and grid out April!

Parking

Plenty of parking

Water Crossings

Except for the water crossing after Zealand hut, the crossings were rock hoppable or hoppable with some minor boot submergence. For the hut crossing, I went way upstream for the rushing water and found two large level rocks to walkover. I donned some very fashionable trash bags and crossed in shin deep water.