Copy/Repost Hike

Zealand Hut Overnight – Ponds, Views & Shenanigans

Jon and I have stayed at Zealand Hut so many times that we could probably give the orientation talk ourselves—but this time we brought along our GO and PVH buddies for a proper group adventure. The plan: a leisurely backpack in, a side trip to Zeacliff, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Easy Does It in Zealand Valley

On a mostly cloudy Tuesday morning, with temps hovering near 60°, we hit the Zealand Trail around 10:00 a.m. This was billed as an “easy backpack”—translation: you can pack like you’re moving into the hut for the season.

The trail starts with a rough and rocky bit, but soon it’s smooth sailing. By 1.7 miles, we emerged at the beaver ponds and swamps—aka nature’s VIP lounge. Cameras came out. We strutted across the famous Z-boardwalk like it was a Paris runway, complete with dramatic pauses for glam shots and Zeacliff photobombing in the background.

Wetlands & The Almost-Waterfall

The Zealand Trail is basically one big wetland photo shoot. We snapped more pictures at Zealand Pond (because who doesn’t need five variations of the same pond shot?).

Next stop: Zealand Falls. Except thanks to the drought, “Falls” was more like “Drips.” Still, we oohed and aahed politely, like people admiring a friend’s newborn baby that looks suspiciously like every other baby.

Life at the Hut

We checked in, snagged bunks, and ate lunch before heading out for the Zeacliff side trip. Just 1.2 miles up and 1,050 feet of climbing later, we hit the ledge.

And WOW. The Pemigewasset Wilderness stretched out before us like Mother Nature had just installed a giant IMAX screen. Willey Range, Mt. Carrigain, and half the cast of the White Mountains were in full view. We sprawled on the ledges alternating between majestic gawking and lounging like house cats.

One member attempted a quick dash to bag Zealand before dinner but returned limping with a swollen ankle. Cue the team effort: trekking poles and one saint who hiked back down to the hut for the first aid kit and then back up again (trail angels walk among us). By dinner, the ankle was elevated and iced—because nothing says group bonding like shared medical triage.

Dinner itself was heavenly—Julia Child may or may not have been reincarnated as the hut cook. The evening wrapped with a naturalist talk on glaciers, followed by a few of us lingering for storytelling and questionable jokes. Lights out at 9:00 p.m.—a.k.a. hiker midnight.

Coffee, Sunshine & Reluctant Departures

The smell of coffee pulled us out of bed—still the only alarm clock I respect. Breakfast was hearty, the kind that makes you forget you ever considered a diet. And the traditional fold the blanket, don’t litter and tip skit was hilarious using the Pemi Bear as the theme.

We wrapped the ankle, distributed gear, and shared carrying the pack to help our injured hiker out. The trek back was a slow, photo-heavy affair. Every five minutes someone declared, “Wait, the lighting is better now!” and out came the cameras again.

Final Verdict

• Scenic views: 5 Stars
• Beaver ponds and wetlands: basically, a fashion shoot backdrop.
• Waterfalls: more “leaky faucet chic” than “Niagara.”
• Hut food: worth every mile.
• Group spirit: unstoppable, even with one swollen ankle.

Would we do it again? Absolutely. Next time we might even bring our own ice packs.

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