Long Pemi Dayhike

[truepatriot09]

We're planning a dayhike in the Pemi, starting at the north on the Twins, down to hit the Bonds, back track and wind up in Crawford Notch (near Mt. Tom I believe). Has anyone done a route similar to this? It's about 22 miles long. We just did a Presi Traverse so the distance isn't that bad, just curious what we could expect.

Thanks,
-ct

 

[Jim lombard]

I've never heard of anybody doing it that way but it could be interesting. What would your route be? Climb to North Twin then across to South Twin, over Guyot to the Bonds, head to Zealand on Twinway to the Zeacliffs and down that way to the hut, Ethan pond trail to Mt Willey, across Field, down into the col, up Col and then out via the Avalon trail? You could take the A-Z trail back to Avalon and Crawford also. Be a long day!

 

[Frodo]

I have done a lot of hikes similar to that in the Pemi, but the closest I can think of to the one you mentioned is starting at the N. Twin Trailhead, heading over the Twins, Guyot, and the Bonds, to Bondcliff, then reversed my route back to the N. Twin Trailhead.

As for what to expect? Expect less people than a Presi Traverse, and an easier day, with less views... It also can be quite muddy on the Twinway and on the A-Z Trail if there has been some wet weather prior to your hike, but I wouldn’t worry this time of year.

Have fun!

 

[Gris]

Just back from a 3-4 day backpack traverse of that same area & then some. did long 21 mi day hike Zealand rd. to Bonds & back last July too. Would say IMO very do-able if carry'n a light day pack load & get N. Twin climb out of way first, then go out A-Z in lieu of AT. Ethan Pond trail VERY mucky from Shoal Pond cutoff to E.P. site cutoff right now. Also did A-Z to Mt. Tom from HC last Monday p.m. (did not see another soul). AZ trail on Crawford side very pretty IMO. Leave early, stop at Z. Hut for food then grab a beer or two at Highland Center - sounds like a plan!

PS - you WILL fly thru Twin to Guyot route. i carried two 40 lb packs and 15 lbs camera gear those three miles last Wed. & couldn't even see my feet - HA! Ditto on Gale River being good fast trail, also gives you Galehead Hut as water/munchies source thus lightening load on way up.

 

[woodstrider]

Pemi day hike

This will be quite the day hike. I did Zealand Mtn to S. Twin backtracked to the Bonds and ended down by the river in the
Pemi wilderness. I don't think that was 22 miles- and not the same amount of elevation as your hike- but if the weather is good-like it was for me- expect great sweeping views, above treeline exposure once on the ridge top and excellent trails.

I do trail work in down State NY (Catskills and Harriman) and I am duly impressed by the trail improvements in the Whites. From bog bridges to hundreds of feet of rock stairs (especially in the section of trail in the Pemi as you descend towards The Zealand Hut) and clear treadways. Thank you to the AMC and other volunteers.

Please let us know how your hike goes-Cheers

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

On July 18th, two of us hiked up Hale Brook Trail to Mt. Hale, took Lend-A-Hand Trail to Twinway and Mt. Zealand and Guyot, followed by a side trip to West Bond, and then reversed back over Guyot and out over the Twins to the N Twin Trailhead. We measured this route as about 20.5 miles, which took us a leisurely 10 hours, the second half in the rain. See report under the VFTT trail conditions site. One could also bushwhack up the west side of Mt. Hale from the N Twin Trailhead, which would only add about a mile to this loop, but save spotting a second vehicle. Had it not been for the rain, we might have split up, with one of us adding Bond and Bond Cliff and the other Galehead Mt., for about 23.5 miles total. I would rate our 20.5-loop easier than the Presi and Wildcat/Carter/Moriah traverses, and of course the Pemi Great Horseshoe loop (PGHL).