June 7, 2008
Today, I've got big plans. I'll be joining Ed Hawkins and company for a Bonds, Zealand, Hale Traverse. This will be my third time doing this hike this year, although this time we will be adding Hale onto the hike. I wasn't able to help spot cars on Zealand Road. I had ever intention of joining the group there, but I drove passed a police car this morning. Uh oh! I immediately looked down at the speedometer. Nope, I wasn't speeding. The car pulled out behind me. Having a police car behind you can make the best of drivers nervous. Then the blue lights went on. What!! I was being a good boy. Turns out, I just had a breaklight out. By the time the officer checked my license, registration, and filled out the paperwork for me to get it fixed, there was no way I could meet the group on time.
I proceeded to the Lincoln Woods Trailhead where I knew the group would eventually meet. When I got there I saw the dynamic father-daughter hiking team, Ron and Catherine. I was also able to meet their friend Stanley. They were planning their own traverse with the exception of not bagging Hale.
"We're gonna get going," said Ron. "We'll hang out on Bondcliff and meet you there."
A few minutes later the rest of the gang arrived. By 7:10 the six of us were on the trail: Ed, Jim, Sarah, Bruce, Bogie, and myself.
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Crossing the East Branch of the Pemigewassett River on the 160' suspension bridge
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Here we are taking our first break near Franconia Break.
The mosquitos were out in force. Bogie had the right idea with the mosquito net.
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We continued on for another 1.8 miles while the mosquitos enjoyed their breakfast. It was time for insect repellant. I had forgotten mine, but Jim shared his. It did the trick, and the mosquitos were no longer a problem.
Sarah at the first of four water crossings.
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Up, up, up we climbed on this hot June day. I had just gotten back from two weeks on the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina, so I was somewhat acclimated to the heat. One thing that was bothering me was looking up and seeing blue blazes. After two weeks of following white blazes on the A.T. I felt as though I were lost.
Jim stands on the top of a rocky scramble just below treeline.
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We made it to the 4275' summit of Bondcliff. That's Sarah over on the cliff.
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We caught up with those who left a little before us. Left to right: Ron, Stanley, Jim, Sarah
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Left to right: Catherine, Ron, Jim, Sarah
Catherine took the opportunity to 'warn' Stanley about me, "Anything you say can and will be used against you on Eric's website."
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It was mostly cloudy when we reached treeline, but in just a few minutes the weather cleared to the west.
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For a 360° video clip click here
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Off to Mount Bond
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Looking back to Bondcliff from the 4698' summit of Mount Bond.
I got to talk with and get to know Stanley a little. He climbs Mount Washington A LOT, especially in winter. Turns out he turned Catherine onto winter hiking and then Catherine turned her dad onto winter hiking.
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After taking a break, we pressed on. Once we dropped down to the spur trail for West Bond, some of us including myself, ditched our packs before climbing up to the 4540' summit of West Bond.
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For a 360° video clip from West Bond click here
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After an extended break during which I took a quick nap, we headed back down the spur trail before proceeding to Mount Guyot.
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Here's a 360° video clip from the false summit of Guyot.
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Now on to the true summit.
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For the next few miles we would be on the Appalachian Trail.
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Ed nears the 4580' summit of Mount Guyot, a non-official 4000 footer.
FYI - Guyot meets the height criteria, but doesn't have enough prominence.
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Looking back to the false summit of Guyot which actually looks higher from here.
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There were still some patches of snow on this hot June day.
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Stanley navigates through a rocky section of the trail
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Next we bagged the 4260' summit of Zealand. The spot has special significance to Jim, who finished the Grid on this peak just 2 months ago.
Up until this point, we weren't sure who wanted to bag Hale. It's easy to say at the start of the day, "Yes, I want to bag that peak too." It's best to wait until you start to get close. Bruce, Sarah, Bogie, and I decided we had enough left in the tank to bag it. We started out ahead of the rest of the group, hoping to build a bit of a lead.
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Bogie climbs down the only ladder of the day.
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Bog bridging near Zeacliff
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Whitewall Mountain from Zeacliff
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Looking out into the Pemigewassett Wilderness
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For a 180° video clip from Zeacliff click here.
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On the way down to Zealand Falls Hut, I met Donna. She adopted this section of the Appalachian Trail nearly 20 years ago. She with the help of her boyfriend, just built a minor trail relocation.
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By the time we reached the Lend-a-hand Trail which leads up to Mount Hale, Sarah and Bogie decided against it. They waited near the hut for the rest of the group while Bruce and I headed up to Hale. We still had 1400 more feet of 'up' to go.
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As we walked through this wet area, I realized Jim's insect repellant wore off.
Instead of breakfast, I was now supper for the mosquitos.
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We were running out of steam, but made our way to the 4054' summit of Hale.
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Bruce and I then hiked 2.2 miles down the Hale Brook Trail finishing about 8:15 pm. Ed was patiently waiting for us to give us a ride back to our respective vehicles. Isolated thunderstorms were predicted today, but managed to stay dry. I guess the storms isolated someplace else. Now if I can only get home without any policemen noticing that my taillight is out.
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