Bigelow Range - Maine

Today's hike was the Bigelow Range - North Peak, South Peak, West Peak and Avery Peak. The day started out with temps at 45 and the sun shining. As we approached West peak the clouds arrived, along with high winds.

Saturday Oct 2, 2004

This is the route we took today - we traveled clockwise starting at Stratton Pond.

Directions to the trailhead:From Farmington take route 27 towards Sugarloaf. 3.2 miles past the entrance to Sugarloaf at the bottom of a long hill you will find a dirt road on your right with a small sign for Bigelow Perserve that you can only see as you enter the road. Follow the road to a signed parking area. For owners of high clearance cars you can follow the road for almost another mile to Stratton Pond where there is room for 6 cars.

This is the profile of the hike from our GPS.

The parking at Stratton Pond.

Our destination viewed from the parking area. You can see that the trees are changing colors.

Stratton Pond.

Another view or Stratton Pond as we head out. We followed the Fire Warden trail until the cutoff to Horns Pond trail. A little ways on this we came to a scenic lookout.

Julie looks over the edge at a small river below.

Geri found some trash left by others - being the good hiker she is she picked it up and carried it out.

A view of South Peak as we go around an old marsh.

We reached the ridge and the Appalachain Trail.

Here is an old shelter that has been left standing as a historic site.

Geri reading information on the new Horns Pond lean-tos. This is a very large area with many tent sites.

A view of South Peak from the lean-tos.

Julie and Geri in front of the new lean-tos.

No bear cannisters needed here - squirrels are the danger here.

A path to one of the tent sites.

The trails are very well maintained in this area.

The out-houses. Notice the old one in the background.

Julie is inspecting them for a popular hiking friend on VFTT. Can you guess who?

Another view of South Peak.

The tent sites are very large with squirrel proof food cans at each one.

Next we headed off to South and North peak.

But first we stop at Horns Pond - this is the view looking west.

The view looking east.

Geri getting ready to put her bandana on as we head out.

The trails gets steep and rocky as we head towards South Peak.

Looking back we see a view of Horns Pond.

After looking at the steep ascent to South Peak we decided to run over to North Peak first. It's less than a 10 minute walk to the summit. Here on the summit of North Peak we look down onto Horns Pond.

Looking Northwest we see the changing colors and part of Flagstaff Lake.

Looking North towards Canada and more of Flagstaff Lake.

Looking East we see the ridge from South Peak to West Peak on the left.

Geri and Julie on North Peak - the wind has started to pick up.

We only stayed for a few minutes before heading down and back towards South Peak.

A view of North Peak from South Peak.

A view of West Peak from South Peak - it looks like a long ways to go.

Geri and Julie wishing I would take the photo faster - the wind is now 30 - 40 mph. Temps are in the 40's. This was number 97 on the NEHH list for Julie!!!

We stopped for a snack in the col between South and West Peak. We quickly had some visitors join us.

Hmmm - who invited this guy to dinner? Can you guess? The watch band may give it away to some.

Were you right? Julie - aka Cantdog couldn't resist.

I got into it as well :> Tried to get one of the 3 birds to eat off my shoulder but we started getting chilled and headed out before they would brave that.

We ran into the caretaker of the Horns lean-tos and stopped to chat. Julie made her perform by doing some Maine "Bert and I" talk.

As we reach West Peak the clouds have rolled in limiting our views :<

Julie takes the lead for the final ascent of West Peak.

Geri and I on West Peak.

It is a short hike from West Peak over to Avery Peak. The wind has is now over 40 mph - Geri and Julie have to hang on to keep from being blown backwards. This was number 82 on the NEHH list for Geri and I.

Back to the Fire Wardens trail we stop for lunch, before heading down and back to our car. We recommend doing this loop clockwise as we did today.

Almost back to Stratton Pond and our car we find a new out-house. Geri isn't sure if it's finished or not. Julie thinks we should get Micheal J's opinion on the matter.

Footnote:

We stopped at the Irving gas station in Farmington Maine on the way up and again on the way home. What a great place to stop - get gas, have dinner or breakfast, take a shower, do your laundry, buy supplies, and even lounge on a sofa while watching television! The gas station has a full diner type restaurant in it with really good food, and is also a truck stop so it has a lot to offer. It is also very clean. Check it out - you will be glad you did.

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