05/25/2014 Bondcliff / Bond / Zealand

Sunday / Monday  May 25-26, 2014

Bondcliff / Bond / Zealand

Lincoln Woods Trail / Bondcliff Trail / Twinway Trail / Zeacliff Trail / Ethan Pond Trail / Thoreau Falls Trail / Cedar Brook Trail / East Side Trail

One of my favorite loops!  After not so distant memories of breaking trail up Bondcliff in 2 to 3 feet of snow, it was time to get back on the best ridge line in the Whites.  The weather was spectacular and the rain held off for most of the day and early evening.  There was no denying it was a holiday weekend as I haven't seen so many cars in the Lincoln Woods Trailhead parking lot in a long time.

Overall the trails weren't as crowded as I expected and the only real cluster of folks I saw was a bunch hanging out at Mount Guyot.  Conditions on all of the summits were ideal for taking in the views and/or a nap!

Is there anything better than washing down a campfire cooked sausage with a river chilled beer in the middle of nowhere?  I don't think so.

Lots of cars at the trail head

Suspension Bridge

View from suspension bridge

View from suspension bridge

2nd bridge ahead

2nd bridge

Start of Bondcliff trail

Blazed tree down!

Water crossing

A few rocks hit with spray paint - not great

First view of Franconia Ridge

Carrigain on left from Bondcliff summit

Carrigian almost center

West Bond and Bond 

 

Looking back at trail from Bond

View from Bond summit

View from Bond summit

First monorail on trail (more to follow)

Bondcliff Trail

Zealand summit

Zealand summit

This sign needs help!

Patches of snow on Twinway

Zeacliff Trail begins

Looking back at Thoreau Falls crossing

Looking down the falls

Camp site

Camp site

Fire!