Trip/Event Location: Bretton Woods, NHUS
Trip Leader(s):
Max # People: 12
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Very Strenuous
Please note that this is a very strenuous hike and is going to be a very long day! This hike is going to have some of the most spectacular views in the White Mountains! This is going to be almost a 20
We will meet at the Zealand Traihead at 6 AM SHARP. From the intersection of Rt 3/302, head East on Rt. 302 for about 5 miles. You will see the Zealand Campground sign which is the base of Zealand Road, on the South side of Rt 302. Follow Zealand Road to the top (about 3 miles) to the parking lot for Zealand Trail. This is a pay lot of $3/day, or use of an annual $20.00 sticker.
This turned out to be an excellent day for hiking the Bonds! We camped out the night before on Cherry Mtn. Road, and started hiking at 6:20 AM. Using headlamps for the first 45 minutes, we arrived at Zealand Hut just in time to watch the Sunrise through the Notch. The Zeacliffs were just as spectacular, as we began an excellent day. After passing over the viewless summit of Mt. Zealand, Mt. Guyot offered the first open view of the Bonds. The clouds passed just as we arrived, and stayed away for the entire duration of our time above treeline. After a brief stop at Guyot campsite for water, we passed over all three Bonds and enjoyed some of the best views I have ever seen in the White Mountains! There was a very small amount of snow/lce in the pine needles in the col between the summits, a sign that winter is not too far off. The trip down the Bondcliff trail to the railbed went quicly as it had gradual grade, and then went flat. We finished our hike before 5 PM.
I will definitely make the Bonds one of my annual hikes!
Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous
