Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Zealand to Lincoln Woods Bonds Traverse


There was a somewhat ominous weather forecast this morning calling for cloudy skies and showers but no indication of any heavy rain. So the big hike was on. I would be joining Amy, Jill, Robin, Larry and Mark for a hike from Zealand parking area to Lincoln Woods. This trek would go over Zealand Mountain (4,260') to Mount Guyot (4,580')then out to West Bond and back to Mount Bond down to Bondcliff and the long trek to Lincoln Woods for a total of 19.7 miles.

6:00 AM  Zealand Parking Lot  2,020'  Mile 0
After car spots we all met at the Zealand parking lot. It was still early and dark. We would start this hike with headlamps on. We did not have to go far before the sky lightened up and the headlamps came off. It was now light enough to see the cloudy skies. As we came up on the first beaver pond there was some very loud splashing and we evidently scared off a moose that was in the water. We could here it plodding off through the brush up into the woods and never did see it.

7:15  Zealand Hut  2,640'  Mile 2.7 
We arrived at Zealand Falls Hut and made a brief stop. A few layer adjustments and we continued on. Our next stop was a side trip to Zeacliff but with the low clouds there was no views and we returned to the Twinway Trail. The trail was cloudy, misty and gloomy and it was not looking good for any kind of views today. We took the 0.1 mile spur trail into Zealand Mountain for our first 4,000 footer of the day. This is always viewless and we quickly turned around at the summit sign after some photos.

10:28  Mount Guyot  4,580'  Mile 7.1
As we got closer to Mount Guyot the clouds started to lift. Once we got to the Bondcliff Trail junction the cloud cover was quickly clearing and spectacular views were emerging. We arrived on the summit of Mount Guyot as the last of the low clouds moved out. Although Guyot is a 4,000 foot mountain it is not on the official 48 4,000 footer list as it does not meet the requirement of a peak that must rise 200 feet above any ridge connecting it to a higher neighbor.

11:11  West Bond  4,540'  Mile 8.4
When we arrived at the spur trail to West Bond we dropped our packs for the one mile round trip to the summit. Once on the summit of West Bond the low clouds that were covering the surrounding summits were just about gone. By the time we left this summit they were all clear. The warm sun felt great on this October day. A brief break and we made our return trip to the Bondcliff Trail.

12:00  Mount Bond  4,698'  Mile 9.4
We picked up our packs and continued up to Mount Bond. Once on the summit we had clear views in all directions. There was a cool breeze blowing and it was a nice spot for lunch. The gray jays also decided to visit during lunch. After a nice break to recharge our energy it was off to Bondcliff.

1:15  Bondcliff  4,265'  Mile 10.6
We descended Mount Bond into a col and then began our final ascent to the summit of Bondcliff. It was a great hike across this section of trail, lots of sunshine and a nice breeze to keep us cool. Once we got on the summit of Bondcliff it was time for the customary photo op out on the edge of the cliff, a precarious perch. One last break and we were ready for the remaining 9.1 miles to Lincoln Woods parking area.

5:30 PM  Lincoln Woods  1,160'  Mile 19.7
It's a long gradual hike down the Bondcliff Trail that leads to a very flat, very straight, very long hike to Lincoln Woods. When we arrived at the end of the trail I had never seen so many people on the suspension bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. It was somewhat difficult getting through the crowd without bumping someone with my pack or photobombing a tourist.

This hike had some special significance as it completed my third round of the 48 4,000 footers. I also hiked 45 miles over seven 4,000 foot summits in the last eight days, something I had never done before so it was a good test of my endurance. It was great to be with an awesome group of hikers today and even the weather cooperated. Thanks to Mark, Larry, Jill, Amy and Robin for a fun and spectacular day of hiking!

Enjoy the photos and videos!

 Starting the hike with headlamps on

 Daylight reveals a cloudy sky

Making the turn to Zealand Hut

 The view from Zealand Hut

 The mighty Whitewall Brook

Low water in Whitewall Brook

 A cloudy Zeacliff

 On a misty Twinway Trail

 Climbing the only ladder on this hike

 Amy waits above the ladder

 Ledge scrambling

 On the viewless summit of Zealand

 Clouds passing over Mount Guyot


 Clouds are lifting

 On the Bondcliff Trail

 On the summit of Mount Guyot

 Mark waits up ahead

 Mount Garfield

West Bond

A view of the Twins

Mount Bond

Bondcliff

Robin, Amy and Jill are happy to be on West Bond

Enjoying the view from West Bond

Mark flying the flag on Mount Bond

Looking down on Bondcliff

Taking a break on Mount Bond

Zooming in on Bondcliff

Gray jay waiting for a snack

Jill provides the gray jay snacks

Looking across to Bondcliff

On the summit of Mount Bond

West Bond

Descending Mount Bond

A view east from the col between Mount Bond and Bondcliff

Ascending Bondcliff

Here comes Larry and the ladies after descending Mount Bond

Bondcliff up ahead

Views on the edge of Bondcliff




Mark flying the flag on Bondcliff


The customary pic on Bondcliff

Guitar slide on West Bond and Mount Garfield in the distance

Southern view from Bondcliff

Ready to hike the 9.1 miles to Lincoln Woods

A long ways straight down

Starting our descent

Navigating down a steep drop

Looking back up at Bondcliff

Crossing a dry brook

Crossing a wet brook


A long way out


Bridge over the Franconia Brook

Franconia Brook

Mark raises his arms in celebration after completing the 19.7 miles







Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!


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