Bonds Traverse - Zealand to Lincoln Woods

Date of Hike: Feb 5-6 2010

Trail conditions:

Zealand Road - Plowed all the way to the trailhead. Bareboot all the way.

Zealand Trail - Some drifting in spots at the bog so we switched to snowshoes here up to the Hut.

Twinway Trail - Well packed all the way to Zeacliff. Snowshoes were used for traction but not necessary. From Zeacliff to Mt. Guyot treeline there were lots of snow drifts and the trail wasn't always obvious. Broke trail all the way. We had a group of 8 so it should be well packed now. Above treeline on Guyot was hard packed snow and ice. Traction is recommended here.

Bondcliff Trail to Guyot Campsite Spur Trail - Trail was already broken but not really packed. Snowshoes recommended.

Guyot Campsite - Broke trail to the shelter. Lost the trail at some point on the way down as we finally found the shelter from the opposite side than the trail normally goes. Spent the night here Friday night.

West Bond Spur Trail - Well packed. Snowshoes helpful.

Bondcliff Trail from Guyot campsite down to Lincoln Woods VC - Broken but not packed - snowshoes recommended. Between Bond and Bondcliff had patches of ice but microspikes would work here. Well packed all the way down from Bondcliff treeline to LW.

Recommended Equipment:
Snowshoes, hiking poles, traction (spikes/crampons)

Comments:
Great couple of days to be out - weather was awesome and saw a couple fighter jets doing some maneuvers over the Pemi Wilderness on the way to Bondcliff. Saw only 6 people other than our group the whole time.

CJ