Zealand-Bonds Traverse - 4 peaks
Zealand - West Bond - Bond - Bondcliff
August 8, 2009
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Today adventure started at 7 AM at the Zealand Road parking lot. Steve, Geri and I met Rich (ex co-worker of Bob's) and were underway a little after 7. The forecast looked promissing and it did not fail to live up to our expectations.
We set out at a comfortable pace as we made our way along the Zealand trail. We stopped a few times along the way to take photos, delayer, or grab a drink, but soon we had covered the 2.5 miles to the Zealand Hut. Time for breakfast, top off of our water and we were on our way.
After leaving the hut the we made our way to the Twinway which becomes steep and rocky as it climbs the edge of Zeacliff. We met a few folks along the way, and played leap frog a bit, but soon we were enjoying great views looking out into the western part of the Pemi and the back side of the Tom-Field-Willey range.
From here we made our way across the bog and back to the Twinway to our next destination - the summit of Zealand. The best thing about this summit is the sign as it has no views - it is basically just the end of a spur trail. But this was a new summit for Rich - his first of 4 for the day! So photos, a snack, good conversation with others we saw there.
Next up - Mt Guyot, a peak that is not on the NH4K list due to it not having a 200 foot differance between the col and the next peak. But it does offer great views as it is just above treeline. From here you can see the Twins, Garfield, Franconia Ridge and many more peaks, including our next stop - West Bond.
Between Zealand and Guyot we ran into numerous hikers that were hiking the AT, headed to Baxter Peak in Maine. All were in great spirits with the wonderful weather and the excitement of hiking the Whites. When we asked one hiker - an older gentleman from NC - how he was enjoying the Whites, his reply was: "They make be realize how I am not as significant as I thought I was".
Soon we were entering the Pemigewasset Wilderness and came to the 1/2 mile spur trail that goes out to West Bond. The trail drops a bit, then climbs to the rocky summit with the most incredible 360 degree views. Many of our friends have camped out at the nearby Buyot Shelter and enjoyed watching the sun set over Franconia Ridge from here.
Making our way back to the Bondcliff trail we now started our climb to Bond. It's an easy climb, but does have a false summit one must go over. From the summit we looked across to West Bond where we had just been, and down the ridge we would follow to Bondcliff, our 4th and final peak for the day.
The views from the three Bond peaks are not done justice by any of the photos we have taken or seen. They are overwhelming, rugged, inspiring, beautiful, and memorable. They are views that one never tires of or can erase from their memory. Bondcliff in particular is special to Geri and I as it is there that we conmpleted both our NH48 and Winter NH48 lists. This was to be our first time back together - long overdue.
Making our way down the steep rocky trail, we took our time, taking in the view of the Pemi as it layed before us. The only signs of civilation one can see from this the center of the Pemi is The summit of Mt Washington, and the ski trails on Loon Mountain. As we get closer to the summit of Bondcliff we started to see the famous cliff where everybody who visits takes a photo of. Rugged and immense, it is one of the many things that makes this peak so special.
And there we were, on the summit our of special peak, bringing back memeories of finishing our NH48 lists, toasting each other with champagne, being surronded by our closest friends, each a start of a new goal in our lives. Today we got to introduce Rich to the wonder of the Bonds, something he will always remember.
Lots of time spent taking photos and enjoying the views, but eventually we had to start the long 9 mile hike to Lincoln Woods. The trail is a little rocky at the top, but soon is mostly dirt and mud as it makes it's way down to the Wilderness trail. We saw several groups of hikers along the bottom part of the trail either setting up camp for the night or making their way to their favorite camping spot. From here it is 1.5 miles to the bridge that crosses the Franconia Brook trail and the boundry of the Pemi.
Steve's girlfriend Christa has supprised us and is waiting on the other side of the bridge! What a treat. We hear of others that she saw today, before starting out on our last leg of the day - a 3 mile stretch of the Wilderness trail where you can see straight ahead for a long distance. It makes one think it will never end, but then the end arrives and we crossed the final bridge into the Lincol Woods parking area.
A great day! Almost perfect weather, challenging terrain, wonderful views. Congrats to Rich for his first "Death March" and knocking 4 peaks off his list. Steve - always fun to hike with you and looking forward to a Presi Traverse in 2 weeks!
Length of Hike:
11:30 hours
19.5 miles
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