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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bigelow Mountain - Avery Peak, Bigelow Mountain - West Peak, ME
Trails
Trails: Fire Wardens Trail, Appalachian Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Access to parking area on Stratton Brook Pond Road is a straight forward dirt road off of ME Route 27. Blowdowns have been cleared. There are a few ruts that are navigable. A regular passenger vehicle would have no issue with this road. Parking for 6-7 cars available at designated parking area. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Nothing of significance. Small brooks, rain runoff. All hoppable. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Great start to the maintenance season by clearing the numerous blow downs at the start of Fire Warden’s. Thank you! New blue blazing up to the Moose Falls campsite. Maybe next round AMC/MATC could tackle the blow downs past Moose Falls? Also, very few, and very faded blue blazes from Moose Falls campsite to junction at Avery Memorial campsite in the col. AT was in excellent shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: None today. Dogs would be fine on this trail. The very steep sections on Fire Warden’s have beautiful rock stairs to improve footing and reduce erosion. This trail is almost worth the climb just for these stairs! They are impressive. 
Bugs
Bugs: Well, this is Maine. Outdoor activities come complimentary with swarms of mosquitos and black flies. Good news, though! The dragonflies are awake and feasting on the mosquitoes! Yea! Maybe one more week of “bug hell” then we should experience a much reduced number of bugs. Maine is about 2 weeks behind the “normal” bug schedule due to the extended winter and cold spring. There are some odd type of non-aggressive bees (?) at the summits. These bees are large and, uh, fuzzy on their bodies. I’ve not seen these before. They land on you but then fly away. Sorry, not an entomologist... Just note that they don’t act malicious at all. Lots of other beetles at the summit. These various species I recognize and pose no threat. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Lovely, long hike into the gorgeous Bigelows. Fire Warden’s is my most favorite trail. Reminds me of home in Western North Carolina... AT Ridge Runner super friendly and helpful! Thanks!

As always, the views are worth the climb. At least this time I avoided the 2-3 foot deep snow! So different walking UNDER the spruces rather than through them.

Good luck, Rambler, on your southbound thru hike!  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-06-26 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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