U
Unregistered
Guest
Date of hike: May 11
Trail Conditions: Lower trails mostly dry with patches of mud. Two significant blow downs on Bondcliff Trail. Crossings on Black Brook require care (strong water and early morning ice) but are passable with Gore-Tex boots. Intermittent monorail on Bondcliff begins at about 3500' on ascent after turn south at the bowl. Summit is snow-free with some rime ice. Trail up to Bond looks clear. No bugs.
Special Equipment: We used micro spikes and stabilicers on monorail, which was packed on ascent, softened by afternoon, but offered no post-holing. Carried snowshoes but were not needed.
Comments: Miles and I hiked out-and-back for a glorious hour atop the amazing summit of Bondcliff. Total time = 11.5 hours. For modest hikers with a single car, this is a rewarding way to bag Bondcliff. Bond and W. Bond make for a more draining hike, either from Bondcliff or by separate hike from Zealand.
Trail Conditions: Lower trails mostly dry with patches of mud. Two significant blow downs on Bondcliff Trail. Crossings on Black Brook require care (strong water and early morning ice) but are passable with Gore-Tex boots. Intermittent monorail on Bondcliff begins at about 3500' on ascent after turn south at the bowl. Summit is snow-free with some rime ice. Trail up to Bond looks clear. No bugs.
Special Equipment: We used micro spikes and stabilicers on monorail, which was packed on ascent, softened by afternoon, but offered no post-holing. Carried snowshoes but were not needed.
Comments: Miles and I hiked out-and-back for a glorious hour atop the amazing summit of Bondcliff. Total time = 11.5 hours. For modest hikers with a single car, this is a rewarding way to bag Bondcliff. Bond and W. Bond make for a more draining hike, either from Bondcliff or by separate hike from Zealand.