Bondcliff

Trail: Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur

Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Slush

“This was a tail of 3 hikes in 1. The start on Lincoln Woods is very gradual and straightforward. Started crossing on a cable bridge, and about 3 miles in gets you to the second bridge. This is the last of the bridges, all water crossings from here on out will use rocks to step over. Upon starting on the Bondcliff Trail, its much of the same. Very straight sections of this trail make you feel as though your barley moving. About 7 miles in or so the elevation began to climb more steeply. Bondcliff Trail was very similar to the Lincoln Woods Trail, just not as wide and with less railroad ties. The climb up to Bondcliff had a few sections that got steep but a lot of the trail was a gradual climb. Similar to the Jewell Trail. There was a lot of water on the Bondcliff Trail, including running water and standing water. Lots of mud to go along with the water. The trails were soft due to the dampness. Not a lot of trees blown down. Each one was an easy step over or a duck under. The snow began to stick to the ground around 3700 feet. The snow became about 2 inches deep at its max. Breaking tree line and the wind and rain began to pick up. The rain held off until I was at the summit of Bondcliff. Winds gusted to about 50MPH, which drove the rain into my skin like tiny needles. The hike to Mt. Bond was a great ridge walk, gaining elevation. Going from Mt. Bond to West Bond was a nice decline and incline. Saw a mountain chicken for the first time, and boy was I surprised. I did not know that there was such a thing in the whites. Technical name is a Spruce Grouse. Very cool. Summit of West Bond made it about 11.5 miles, and then about 11.5 miles back to the parking lot. Out and back for a total of just over 22.5 miles, did it in just under 9.5hrs. Saw plenty of people, and some folks endured the wind and rain with me heading to Mt. Bond and West Bond. Lincoln Woods is closing for the summer on the 15th so if you need the Bonds or Owls Head don't wait.”

Trail: Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

“Trails are in great condition for the crush of pre-LW closure hikers over the next few days. Between Zealand and Guyot was some of the last bits of snow still hanging around before Winter completely lets us out of her grasp (its 3x tiny areas each about the size of dinner plates). If you'll be part of the pre-LW closure hikers this weekend, please pack out your trash (see L&F notes above). Traffic will probably get much lighter starting Monday, so there won't be as many hikers to do the normal trail-sweeps and grabbing all the little bits of trash here and there Happy Hiking!”

Trail: Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur

Conditions: Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant

“Arrived right at 6 am, lots of people around, lot maybe half full but apparently all those people were not headed directly to the Bonds as I was alone on the trail until after summit. Water crossings were easy but several muddy spots along the trail. Zero snow or ice. And no bugs until I got back to Lincoln Woods at the end of the day. No bear issues and no signs of that trouble maker.”