The trail progressed rather easily through bogs surrounded by beaver dams. After about 3 miles in, we started tackling the Twinway following a brief rest at AMC's Zealand Hut. At this point, we witnessed sharper spikes in elevation and as is typical, the sweat was escaping my pores at a steady clip.
By mid-afternoon, Sarah and I were atop Mt Guyot enjoying the 360 degrees vistas of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. In little time, we made the campground, but to find each tent platform occupied and even doubled up. Clearly, and we discerned this earlier based on the volume of passerbys, it was a busy weekend in Whites. Luckily, this backcountry respite offered a 12-person shelter in addition to the tent spots. After claiming our area in the lean-to and ligthening our packs by ridding of the non-essentials, it was off to the Bonds (Boncliff, Mt Bond, West Bond).
These peaks are noted on many websites and various AMC publications for offering some of the best views in New Hampshire. Surely, they lived up to this honor! The pictures below are seriously lacking the justice deserved. It's impossible to capture the space and perception that one witnesses being engulfed in this section of forest. Bondcliff featured dramatic crags- jagged and magestic while West Bond's sunset was even more sublime. These two mountains alone made the trip a success. The sun fell over the horizon, we munched onfreeze-dried pad thai noodles before finally following the wide beam of light emanating from our headlamps back to the camp site.
Sunday brought an easier trail experience that led us to both South and North Twin (5 & 6 official 4000 ftrs bagged on the trip) before exiting the woods via the North Twin Trail.
Man, when hiking, life is fantastic!
Bondcliff and the spine-like ridge trail
The wind whipping at my pant legs was pretty intense during this shot
Bondcliff spine as seen from West Bond
Sunset from West Bond
Again...
Rustic Shelter at Guyot Campground
On Mt. Guyot- 4500 + ft up
Zeacliff Outlook
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