By: Maddy Hunt, Discover the Power of Parks Interpreter
The Bond Mountains boast some of the most beautiful views in the White Mountains. This range includes Mt. Bond, West Bond and the Bond Cliff located in the middle of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This is a 22 mile, 2 day (or 1 day!) round trip. The hike is rough going, even at times grueling, but well worth the effort! Plan this hike around your own hiking abilities, pack weight restrictions, schedule and stamina.
This trip began at the Zealand Campground parking lot. You will drive to the end of Zealand road in order to pick up the trail head. Starting early is always a good plan!
The hike begins on a 2.5 mile flat trail going through woods and wet lands. The wild flower Woodland Aster lit up the trail on either side once I got to Zealand Pond.
Once you pass the AMC Zealand Hut, you will hike up 1.7 miles of some steep trail. What is motivating you at this point is that you know the Bond Mountains have some of the most beautiful views in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This section of the hike is full of rocks, roots and a ladder! At the top are some amazing views!
From here you will be walking on a fairly level trail with some ascending and descending as you progress toward Mt. Guyot. At this trail junction, you will turn left walking through a grassy alpine summit. Great views!
Here you hike to the Mt. Guyot Shelter, a great rest stop, and if you are planning to make this a two day trip, also a great place to drop off your tent and other heavy items before you begin your ascent of Mt. Bond.
The hike up to Mt. Bond is a fun one filled with great views and lots of rocks! Mt. Washington, if not hiding in the clouds (like on this day), can be clearly seen from the summit.
The Bond cliff is the next leg of the hike. You will descend down steeply from Mt Bond and hike 1.3 miles to the end of the Bond Cliff. A nice spot for a summit nap!
The hike back up to Mt. Bond is another story, quite a steep ascent over some loose rocks, but a fun one nonetheless. Here you will descend down Mt Bond until you get to the junction for West Bond, a 15 minute .5 mile hike to complete the Bond trip.
From right to left Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, and Little Haystack.
Happy hiking out there everyone! As always hike safe, hike smart, be prepared, and most importantly, have a blast!
Great trip! I’m planning on doing the Bonds/Twins next month, and have a question: is the water at the Guyot Campsite drinkable, or does it need to be treated/filtered? Thanks! Chris
Hey Chris, It absolutely needs to be filtered – its a busy place, lots of people …. so yes, either iodine, aquamira, other purification tablets, boiling or the ole pump!
Nicely done. What a great area to hike in all the seasons. West Bond has one of the best sunsets in the whites.
Thanks for the info!