Bonds Backpack Trip

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: June 21-22, 2014

TRIP LOCATION: Bonds Backpack, NH

MEETING TIME:  8:45 AM, Sat. 6/21

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 8

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 16 hrs.

LENGTH IN MILES: ~20 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 2700

DIFFICULTY:    B                              (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S): Leslie Carson

CO-LEADER NAME(S): Maureen Kelly

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Zealand Trailhead

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:   No                      TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:

WAS TRIP WITHING WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  Yes

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

We met up at Zealand trailhead parking lot and hiked up the Zealand trail past Zealand hut and Zeacliff to the Twinway trail. Hiked over Zealand Mtn. and Mt. Guyot to the Guyot Campsite. Fortunately, we were able to get a tent platform for the night to fit four 2-person tents and one 1-person tent off to the side. We set up our gear then hiked over to West Bond and back before dinner. Had a delightful dinner and went to bed early despite it being Summer Solstice. Woke up early Sunday, had breakfast and packed up our gear. We hiked out of the campsite and left our heavy packs off the side of the junction. Taking small packs, the group hiked out to Mt. Bond and Bondcliff. What a glorious day - we could see for miles 360 degrees all around us! Took lots of pictures and spent some time enjoying the sights. We then headed back  up over Mt. Bond to the trail junction, ate an early lunch, picked up our heavy packs then backtracked the way we came to Zealand parking lot to retrieve our cars and head home. It was a long 2 days, but well worth the trip. I believe a good time was had by all and several of the participants were able to summit 4 (Zealand, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff) 4K footers to add to their list.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: 

The weather was perfect for the weekend.  Sunny with some clouds, not too humid and temps in the 60’s. As stated earlier, the views were fantastic.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

No problems. 

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.