Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Spectacular Day for a Zealand/Bonds Traverse


Summits:  Zealand (4,260'), Guyot (4,580'), West Bond (4,540'), Mount Bond (4,698'), Bondcliff (4,265') 
Trail route:  Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zeacliff Spur, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail 
Trail conditions: Mostly dry with a few patches of mud and wetness 
Weather: Cool start quickly warming with comfortable temps throughout the hike with sunshine and cumulus clouds
Total miles: 19.7
Total time:  11:15

After watching the weather this week today was looking ideal for a Zealand/Bonds traverse. There were several of us that needed this hike. I would be joining Robin, Jill, Scott and Lisa for this epic long adventure. We would be passing over 5 summits today, only Guyot Mountain is not on the official 4,000 footer list.

We started early and were on the trail a few minutes after 6:00 AM. After a cool start the sun rose and so did the temperature. About one mile into the hike we stopped to delayer under bright sunshine and a clear blue sky.

We arrived at the Zealand Hut to find it open but still observing COVID safety measures. We took a short break outside the hut and then started the climb up the Twinway. On such a beautiful morning we had to take the short spur path out to Zeacliff to take in the views.

After almost 6 miles on the trail we arrived at the viewless summit of Zealand Mountain. We then continued along Twinway passing over Guyot Mountain on our way to The Bondcliff Trail. The backpacks were dropped at the spur trail to West Bond. It was a little crowded on top but it doesn't take much as this is a small summit.

We picked up our packs at the Bondcliff Trail and continued up to Mount Bond. This summit was also crowded but we managed to find a good spot for eating lunch and removing our hiking boots to air out our feet.

Our next and last summit of the day was Bondcliff. Once again there were many hikers here when we arrived. After some pics we began the descent to Lincoln Woods, a 9.1 mile hike to the parking lot after already hiking 10.6 miles.

The Lincoln Woods Trail is known for its long, flat, straight, monotonous hike out to the parking lot after having already hiked so many miles. Having done this many times before we were all familiar with the tedious remaining miles ahead of us. The suspension bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River is always a welcome sight since the parking lot is on the other side and 19.7 miles are behind us.

It was my 8th time to these summits. Today's conditions were just about as good as they get for this traverse and I was glad to have the company of some awesome hiking friends on such a long hike!

Enjoy the photos and videos!

The hike starts here

A look back at the rising sun

Bog boardwalk

Zealand Pond reflection

A group of lady slippers

A view from Zealand Hut

A brief stop outside Zealand Hut

Easy water crossing

Rhodora still in bloom

Bunchberry

Labrador tea

View from Zeacliff

Crossing bog bridges over some very deep mud

Spruce grouse perched above the trail


On the summit of Zealand Mountain

View from Mount Guyot

Turning onto the Bondcliff Trail

View from Bondcliff Trail

Going down to go back up

A look past the ridge to Bondcliff

Ascending West Bond up ahead

Ridgeline to Bondcliff

Mount Bond

Garfield and South Twin

Lincoln and Lafayette on the other side of Owl's Head

On the summit of West Bond

Once again going down to go back up

Spectacular view from Mount Bond

West Bond and beyond

Guyot and the Twins

Presidential summits in the distance

And once again going down to go back up

Last ascent of the day on Bondcliff

A long way down

The Bondcliff perch

A look down from Bondcliff

Bondcliff perch

On the summit of Bondcliff

Lincoln and Lafayette and Garfield

Mount Garfield

Owl's Head and Franconia Ridge beyond

A drop-off beside the trail

Painted trilliums

Descending the Hillary step

On the Hillary step

Almost dry water crossing

A look back up from where we just came down

Easy water crossing

A very easy water crossing

Franconia Brook

This bridge is a beautiful sight at the end of  a long Zealand/Bonds traverse

Left the house before sunrise and arriving home at sunset







Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!

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