The reason for this is I've hiked the Bonds twice. Once in 2008 when there was a very low ceiling. Not much for views at all.
And once this past winter. Snow squalls and darkness. That's me giving the thumbs up.
I did make a return to West Bond a couple summers ago for views redemption.
Saturday it was time for Bond Cliff, and Mt. Bond to redeem themselves. I got an early start (6:30 on trail) because it was predicted to be another hot, hazy an humid day. I wanted to beat the heat and hopefully some of the haze. Since I was not peak bagging, I rode my bike to the Wilderness boundary and stashed it. The only way to fly on the Lincoln Woods Tr. I did not realize this but apparently the trail after the bridge over the Franconia Branch has been renamed do to the Pemi bridge removal. After the hike I wanted to talk to a ranger about something and he seemed lost when I said where I'd come from and was refering to the Wilderness Tr. He called it Franconia Brook Trail but my AMC online maps calls it Bond Cliff Trail. I do not have the latest addition of the guide so I'm not sure what it is for sure.
To make a short story even shorter, I reached Bond cliff about 9:30. And was amazed at what I saw. It would have been a shame not to return for this.
Another reason for returning is I really wanted my obligatory standing on the cliff photo. And luckily there were 2 hikers up there already. Now I don't care for heights at all and knew this would not be easy. So wouldn't you know as soon as I got out there the wind started gusting enough to knock me off balance a bit.
After catching myself I asked the guy to "please take the photo quick". He did and I got my shot.
After That it was off for Mt. Bond. Along the way I was treated to some Alpine Flowers. This was a first this year for me. Not sure what they are as I don't have an identification book for these.
It was pretty hazy now ruining a the distant views but what I could see was awesome. I particularly liked the view back towards Bond Cliff.
Hazy but I'll take this any day of the week.
I spent a half hour on Mt Bond and the same when I got back to Bond Cliff. Headed back down around 12:30. Because of the layout of this trail, much of it is jog-able. That, and having a bike to ride on the last 3 miles, I was out by 3:00pm. Now I believe the only 4K that owes me views is Tecumseh.
And this is the only way to do the Lincoln Woods Trail. :D
LOVED THE BIKING VIDEO!! Got a chuckle out of that one!! I agree 150% on using the bike to get through the "boring" part of the pemi- xc skiing it in the winter is fun too! Mtn. biking it probably helped keep you cooled down on that H-0-T day!! Congrats on your views!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics as always!
Hiking Lady
Thanks H.L. It was a triple H day but pretty good overall.
ReplyDeleteJoe . . . what an absolutely terrific report from start to finish! Your photos and text about your prior Bond adventures was a great way to begin the report, and the biking video was a perfect way to end the report. Oh! And the middle part of the report was super-excellent as well!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Bondcliff Trail, it looks to me like the most recent edition (29th) still calls it the Bondcliff Trail. However, Steve Smith can (or perhaps already has) clarify/confirm this.
John
Thanks so much for the kind words John. That's one special place to be above tree-line.
ReplyDeleteRegarding that section of trail. I wonder if all the red-line finishers have to do that 2 mile stretch again since it's been renamed. ;-)