| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain (Avery Peak), Bigelow Mountain (West Peak), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Snowmobile trail, Firewardens Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 20, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Summer trailhead not plowed. Limited plowed parking at Route 16 AT crossing (maybe 4-5 cars). Limited room to park (maybe 3 cars) at Stratton Brook Pond Road-Pond Loop junction at entrance of snowmobile trail. Saw the most deer I've ever seen on the drive back from Stratton to Errol - on the road, in woods, on fields - white knuckle driving! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Minor crossings were generally open but either hoppable, log crossable, or still partially snowbridged. Pond outlet, on the other hand, was open. Probably hoppable on wet rocks, but we opted to take a wide berth on remaining ice, which was softer on the return trip and probably not an option much longer. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some blowdowns of various sizes. A few leaners heading up to West Peak. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Snowmobile trails all the way to the pond outlet were well packed. Beyond there, trail was fairly firm in the morning, but pretty soft descending in the afternoon (a few places sinking in 3 feet with snowshoes). Fairly recent snowshoe tracks heading up Horns Pond Trail. Snowshoed up FWT to the col and to both peaks with limited rock walking (more so on Avery than West). Minimal ice at the moment. West Peak has a very impressive drifted slope near treeline. Great views of the Presidentials and Mt. Katahdin. Low winds, decent temperatures, blue skies nice way to end winter. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21 at franklinwebpublishing dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-03-20 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/Maine/bigelowmtnaverypeak-2011-0320.php |
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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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