CROSS COUNTRY SKIING Zealand
Valley Ski Trails
The Spruce Goose and Flat
Iron Cross Country Ski Trails in the Zealand Valley are not groomed
and there is no user fee. Snowshoers and hikers are asked to stay
to the west side of the Spruce Goose Trail. Constructed in 1977
by the Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC), Spruce Goose is 4.1
miles long and classified most difficult for the first half mile
and more difficult thereafter. Flat Iron is a 1.3 mile loop trail,
and classified easiest because it neither gains nor loses much elevation.
Access:
Both trails start at Zealand Campground on Route 302 in Twin Mountain,
NH. The campground is 3 miles east of the junction of Route 302
and Route 3. Free parking for both cross country skiers and snowmobilers
is available in the Zealand parking area, located 1/4 mile east
of Zealand Campground. Parking is not permitted elsewhere along
Route 302, Zealand Road, or in the campground areas.
Flat Iron Cross Country
Ski Trail - (Marked for ONE WAY travel): From the west
side of the Zealand Road, a few hundred feet beyond the bridge over
the Ammonoosuc River, the Flat Iron Trail enters the woods on the
right onto an old road. After about 30 yards the trail bears left
to descend slightly into the first of two maintained wildlife openings.
It enters the woods again and at 0.3 mile begins to follow the bank
of the Zealand River. It leaves the river at 0.7 mile, ascending
a short bank onto an old road once again. Following the old road
0.6 mile, it loops back to where the trail begins. The old road,
located on a glacial ridge, was built between 1903 and 1904 and
connected the Twin Mountain house in Twin Mountain to the Fabyan
House near Bretton Woods.
Spruce Goose Cross
Country Ski Trail - (Marked with blue diamonds for TWO
WAY travel): The Spruce Goose Trail enters the woods on the right
about 50 feet beyond the Flat Iron Trail. It begins at 1500 feet
elevation and rises to 2100 feet at its intersection with the southern
end of the Zealand Road. Along the way, the trail passes by Sugarloaf
I campground and through Sugarloaf II campground. At the south end
of the Zealand Road, the Zealand Trail begins. This trail is 2.7
miles and leads to the Appalachian Mountain Club Zealand Hut, originally
built between 1931 and 1932. (From Route 302, a trip to Zealand
Hut is 6.8 miles one way.) Cross country skiers may obtain overnight
lodging at the hut by advanced reservations only (telephone 603-466-2727).
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