Tuco
New member
After seeing last weekends forecast for rain and knowing our Bonds traverse would be scuttled, I saw a perfect forecast for Tuesday and put the date on the work calendar. Sure enough, the weather held up. I also wanted one more hike before the Pound the Presi’s, and this would be my last opportunity.
I hit the Zealand Trail trailhead around 430, under headlamp. Nice easy trail, good condition so this was no problem. Within 20 minutes or so I didn’t need the headlamp any longer. Zealand was totally dry, and only had occasional roots sticking out to slow you down. I really like this trail, especially when you come into the open and see the mountains and the ponds. Quickly made it up to the Zealand hut and took some food and drink. The falls were flowing pretty good, but I doubt any more than usual. I headed up the Twinway and broke up where it splits off and headed left to Zealand Mt. The Twinway here is a bit of a roller coaster. There were occasional muddy spots but very easily navigated.
At a good clip, I made it to Zealand Mt. and its lovely summit area. Again ate and drank. Only excitement here was there is a small tree stump near the summit sign and I backed up and fell over and went backwards stumbling about 10 feet into a tree. Dummy- packed up and got out of there. Kept moving on the Twinway which started to get rockier- or shall I say more White Mountain like, with still the occasional mud spot. Finally peaked up into the Alpine Zone and there was a stiff breeze. At this time of the am, I was a little chilled but it felt good.
Moved around to Bondcliff trail and headed over to the West Bond Cutoff. Still, moving fairly well. Went out to West bond, feeling like, why I am going all the way out of my way like this. For 4k # 27, I guess. While sitting there the jets were running maneuvers in the Pemi and I looked and finally spotted one way up high, a little too high for a picture but I found it cool to listen to the roar. I zipped down to shorts as the temperatures started to rise. Here I started thinking about today’s plan, to Bond- then Bondcliff or just head back? Weather was too nice and too close to Bond so I headed on.
Moved up to Bond and spent a bit of time enjoying all the views. The wind was light and it was warm, and I nearly fell asleep. Here’s where the real debate began- to Bondcliff or back. I was worried about the long slog back up to Bond from Bondcliff but with that ridgeline staring me in the face I decided that I would hike to Bondcliff or until 7 hours had elapsed and then head back. Love that open exposed hiking. I made it to Bondcliff with 15 minutes to spare, ate and drank again and quickly headed back. My fears about the ascent to Bond were realized, I felt a total drain of energy and started to shuffle a bit. Pushed on, never looked up and made it back to Bond. Met a couple of guys there and talked and took my mind off my tired feeling. From there on, the hike back to Zealand road kept getting better as the trail evened out and the additional food and drink revitalized me. Started to see a lot of people headed to the different sites for the night on the way back. Ran a bit short of water on the twinway, but got back to Zealand hut and took care of that. There was such a great breeze there in front I almost laid down and napped. Cruised back down the Zealand to the car. Bugs were a total non-issue. Saw a lot, but they seem uninterested. Actually, I found the bugs in the parking lot worse than anything else.
Finished in around 12hrs, 15 minutes, I think it was about 20 miles and a bit less than 5000 elevation gain.
I dumped my pictures from the camera, didn’t get rid of the less useful ones so there are a lot…. Also, the site loaded them in reverse order, don’t know why. http://www.flickr.com/photos/73539134@N00/
Nothing like a day in the mountains when the weather is great!
I hit the Zealand Trail trailhead around 430, under headlamp. Nice easy trail, good condition so this was no problem. Within 20 minutes or so I didn’t need the headlamp any longer. Zealand was totally dry, and only had occasional roots sticking out to slow you down. I really like this trail, especially when you come into the open and see the mountains and the ponds. Quickly made it up to the Zealand hut and took some food and drink. The falls were flowing pretty good, but I doubt any more than usual. I headed up the Twinway and broke up where it splits off and headed left to Zealand Mt. The Twinway here is a bit of a roller coaster. There were occasional muddy spots but very easily navigated.
At a good clip, I made it to Zealand Mt. and its lovely summit area. Again ate and drank. Only excitement here was there is a small tree stump near the summit sign and I backed up and fell over and went backwards stumbling about 10 feet into a tree. Dummy- packed up and got out of there. Kept moving on the Twinway which started to get rockier- or shall I say more White Mountain like, with still the occasional mud spot. Finally peaked up into the Alpine Zone and there was a stiff breeze. At this time of the am, I was a little chilled but it felt good.
Moved around to Bondcliff trail and headed over to the West Bond Cutoff. Still, moving fairly well. Went out to West bond, feeling like, why I am going all the way out of my way like this. For 4k # 27, I guess. While sitting there the jets were running maneuvers in the Pemi and I looked and finally spotted one way up high, a little too high for a picture but I found it cool to listen to the roar. I zipped down to shorts as the temperatures started to rise. Here I started thinking about today’s plan, to Bond- then Bondcliff or just head back? Weather was too nice and too close to Bond so I headed on.
Moved up to Bond and spent a bit of time enjoying all the views. The wind was light and it was warm, and I nearly fell asleep. Here’s where the real debate began- to Bondcliff or back. I was worried about the long slog back up to Bond from Bondcliff but with that ridgeline staring me in the face I decided that I would hike to Bondcliff or until 7 hours had elapsed and then head back. Love that open exposed hiking. I made it to Bondcliff with 15 minutes to spare, ate and drank again and quickly headed back. My fears about the ascent to Bond were realized, I felt a total drain of energy and started to shuffle a bit. Pushed on, never looked up and made it back to Bond. Met a couple of guys there and talked and took my mind off my tired feeling. From there on, the hike back to Zealand road kept getting better as the trail evened out and the additional food and drink revitalized me. Started to see a lot of people headed to the different sites for the night on the way back. Ran a bit short of water on the twinway, but got back to Zealand hut and took care of that. There was such a great breeze there in front I almost laid down and napped. Cruised back down the Zealand to the car. Bugs were a total non-issue. Saw a lot, but they seem uninterested. Actually, I found the bugs in the parking lot worse than anything else.
Finished in around 12hrs, 15 minutes, I think it was about 20 miles and a bit less than 5000 elevation gain.
I dumped my pictures from the camera, didn’t get rid of the less useful ones so there are a lot…. Also, the site loaded them in reverse order, don’t know why. http://www.flickr.com/photos/73539134@N00/
Nothing like a day in the mountains when the weather is great!
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