Note: For complete trail descriptions, times, elevation, trailhead directions, and major features, see the AMC
White Mountain Guide or try our new
White Mountain Guide Online.
Profile
Bondcliff (4,265 ft.), along with neighboring Mt. Guyot and Mt. Bond, offers some of the most stunning views in the Whites, with virtually no sign of roads or buildings visible from the summit.
Suggested Routes
Strenuous: Due to its distance from the road, Bondcliff represents a lengthy (10+ mile one way) trek if considered as a day trip. The best approach for this trip would be to take the Wilderness Trail for 4.7 miles to the Bondcliff Trail; from that junction, Bondcliff’s summit is a 4.4 mile trip. Hikers wishing to make this a multi-day excursion may include Mt. Bond and Mt. Guyot further along the Bondcliff Trail & Twinway. Views from the exposed Bondcliff Trail represent some of the very best in the Whites.
Trip Planning
The AMC’s Guyot Campsite is located on the Bondcliff Trail, between Mts. Bond and Guyot.
The AMC’s Galehead Hut is located at 3800 ft. on the Garfield Ridge, near the Twinway, Garfield Ridge, Frost, and Twin Brook Trails. The hut is open from mid-May to mid-October (caretaker basis in May), offering meals and overnight accommodations.
The AMC’s Zealand Falls Hut is located at 2630 ft. on the north end of Zealand Notch, near the Twinway, Zealand and Ethan Pond Trails. The hut is open on a full-service basis from early June to mid-October, offering meals and overnight accommodations. It is open the rest of the year on a caretaker basis.
The AMC’s Hiker Shuttle stops at the Zealand and Gale River Trailheads, connecting hikers with The Highland Center and Lafayette Place Campground.
Safety in Summer and early Fall
The AMC recommends all hikers check weather conditions in advance, carry a current map and guidebook, along with a compass and knowledge of how to use it. For recommendations on how to plan a safe hike in the White Mountains, see: The 10 essentials for a safe and pleasant hike.
Note: As with all trails above the treeline, the Bondcliff Trail is susceptible to extreme weather and high winds near Mt. Bond’s summit. Hikers are advised to pay particular attention to weather conditions for the area before setting out.
Winter Hiking on Bondcliff
Winter hiking anywhere in the White Mountains requires specialized equipment and skills, and experience in coping with weather, navigation, and winter gear. Extremely severe storms can develop suddenly and unexpectedly, especially above treeline. The combination of high wind and low temperatures has such a cooling effect that the worst conditions on Bondcliff are approximately equal to the worst reported from Antarctica, despite the much greater cold in the latter region. Hikers interested in extending their activities into winter are strongly advised to seek out organized trips with leaders who have extensive winter experience. Several AMC chapters offer winter hiking and backpacking instruction, and AMC offers several guided winter mountaineering trips; search for "Instruction" in AMC's activity listings. Helpful information can also be found in the AMC Guide to Winter Hiking and Camping.
Fun Fact
Mt. Bond & Bondcliff were named for Professor G.P. Bond of Harvard, who was among the first geographers to develop a relatively accurate map of the White Mountains.
Additional Resources
