Outdoor Diversion: A Zealand Bonds Traverse Solo Hike

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 up with comfortable temps and sunshine throughout the hike

Total miles: 19.7

Total time: 11:07

I needed one more hike to finish hiking all 48 4,000 footers in the month of September. Today's weather was looking fantastic for this very long hike that passes over five summits and through the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This would also complete my hiking all 48 summits solo, some summits I've hiked solo many times.

There was a full moon overhead as I drove to the trailhead. The headlamp was needed as I started my hike just before 6:00 AM. It was only twenty minutes into the hike when it was bright enough to see the roots and rocks without the headlamp. It was a pleasant hike to Zealand Hut. I made a brief stop there before continuing on.

From here it is a steady climb up to Zeacliff outlook. Clouds were still lifting on some of the surrounding mountains when I arrived at the outlook. There was a tent beside the trail where someone had camped last night. It was another brief stop then I was on my way to Zealand Mountain.

The air was cool and crisp with a hint of Fall that arrives tomorrow. When I reached the summit of Zealand there was a hiker already there. He had slept there last night and was packing up to continue his hike. It was another brief stop for me before moving on.

My next summit was Guyot, the trail passes over the top without much notice. Although the elevation of this mountain is 4,580 feet it is not on the 48 4,000 footer list. I turned south on the Bondcliff Trail. I dropped my pack at the West Bond spur and made a quick trip up to the summit where I had the top to myself for a moment. The views were spectacular today. Two hikers came up behind me and I went back down.

At the trail junction I picked up my pack and made my way up to the summit of Mount Bond. Once again I briefly had the summit to myself. After a few photos of the amazing views I started my descent and then the ascent to Bondcliff, my final summit of the day. I started seeing more hikers along the open ridge. I reached the top of Bondcliff where many hikers were enjoying the warm sunshine and cool breeze. I ate lunch here, a nice day for lingering and basking!

I continued my hike and it would be all downhill from here. Met a few hikers on their way up as I went down. I reached the bottom of Bondcliff Trail and braced myself for the long, monotonous 4.4 mile hike out to Lincoln Woods. I met no other hikers along here until I was almost out. I saw the suspension bridge that crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River and it was a beautiful sight after 19.6 miles!

The Zealand/Bonds traverse is always a formidable hike for me and doing it solo brought it to a whole new level. This was the best and most enjoyable solo hike that I have ever done! It was a great hike for the last full day of summer!

Enjoy the photos and videos!