Outdoor Diversion: Winter Traverse Over the Bonds and Zealand

Summits: Bondcliff (4,265'), Mount Bond (4,698'), West Bond (4,540'), Guyot (4,580'), Zealand (4,260')
Trail route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zealand Trail, Zealand Road
Trail conditions: Trail was well packed with a few inches of fresh snow on top
Weather: Cold but tolerable with temps in the 20's, cloudy
Total miles: 23.4
Total time: 13 hours

A timeline of today's hiking adventure with Jill, Scott and Lisa. We would be traversing over five summits with four summits that count toward the 48 4,000 footers. Guyot is not on the list.

6:10 AM (Mile 0) - Under the cover of darkness with headlamps lighting our way we crossed the suspension bridge over the Upper Branch of the Pemigewasset River and started our hike in microspikes on the Lincoln Woods Trail. The trail was a frozen hard-packed sidewalk.

7:18 AM (Mile 2.8) - We crossed the bridge over the Franconia Brook and entered into the Pemigewasset Wilderness on the Bondcliff Trail.

11:15 AM (Mile 9.1) - It was a long 6.2 miles up the Bondcliff Trail to the summit of Bondcliff. The Hillary Step was easily climbed on our way to the summit.

12:30 PM (Mile 10.3) - We arrived at the summit of Mount Bond where we started seeing many other hikers. The summit was in the clouds and there were only limited views while we were here. We swapped the microspikes for snowshoes.

1:24 PM (Mile 11.3) - On the summit of West Bond after dropping our packs at the trail junction. We had some good views of Mount Bond as the clouds lifted and also along the ridge all the way to Bondcliff. This was summit #48 of the 4,000 footers for me and completed my 5th round for the grid.

2:24 PM (Mile 12.6) - Turned onto Twinway crossing over Mount Guyot and on to Mount Zealand. There was a lot of snow through here but it was packed down from previous hikers although still loose.

3:05 PM (Mile 14) - We arrived at the Mount Zealand summit.

4:11 PM (Mile 15.7) - We passed by the Zeacliff spur trail without slowing down as there would not be much of a view today and started the steep descent to Zealand Hut.

4:35 PM (Mile 17.2) - Arrived at the Zealand Hut, took off the snowshoes, put on the microspikes and had something to eat. The hut caretaker greeted us and was very friendly offering cookies and water refills if needed. He said the hut was full tonight, 38 hikers. It was crowded inside so we stayed outside as we took our break before doing the last 6 miles to Route 302 where the cars were parked. We departed the hut at dusk and it was soon dark.

6:00 PM (Mile 19.7) - We reached the end of Zealand Road at the summer parking lot. One last leg down the unplowed Zealand Road.

7:10 PM (Mile 23.2) - We crossed the bridge at the end of Zealand Road to complete the hike with a huge sense of accomplishment!

It was another two tenths of a mile to the Zealand winter parking lot on Route 302 for a total of 23.4 miles today. I have to admit there was some apprehension on my part during the days leading up to this hike. Even with a thorough check of weather forecasts and trail conditions the situation can change quickly especially on a hike of this length in the winter. After hiking over 11 miles deep into the Pemigewasset Wilderness there is still over 11 miles in either direction to get back out.

I was with great company and spirits remained high throughout the entire hike. The month of February is off to a great start!

Enjoy the photos and video!