New Hampshire 4,000-Footer Planning Guide – West Bond

Note: For complete trail descriptions, times, elevation, trailhead directions, and major features, see the AMC White Mountain Guide.

Profile
West Bond (4,540 ft.), a spur of Mount Bond in the southern Twin range, offers extensive views of the White Mountains with virtually no sign of human interference in the form of buildings or roads from the summit.

Suggested Routes
Strenuous: Because of its remote location, West Bond is usually suited for a multi-day trip. The best access to West Bond is via the Wilderness Trail to the Bondcliff Trail; from that junction, a ~6 mile hike will take you to the West Bond Spur, from which the West Bond summit is half a mile. Continuing on, the Bondcliff Trail joins the Twinway at Mt. Guyot’s summit, a good route if hikers wish to make this a multi-day excursion. 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 from early June to mid-October, offering meals and overnight accommodations.

The AMC’s Hiker Shuttle stops at the Appalachia/Valley Way Trailhead, connecting with The Highland Center and Lafayette Place Campground.

Safety
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.

Fun Fact
The entire West Bond Spur trail is in the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area.