| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain - Avery Peak, Bigelow Mountain - West Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Stratton Brook Pond Road, Fire Wardens Trail, Bigelow Range Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 17, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the AT parking area on Route 27. Noted a single car parked at the trailhead on Stratton Brook Pond Road in the afternoon. I was under the impression that Stratton Pond Brook Road was closed for logging operations, but maybe not. Note the road is narrow and I would not want to play chicken with a logging truck. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged or easily crossed. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of blowdowns, all easily maneuvered around or under. Cleared one cleaned the eye pokers off another. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
For what it's worth, the AMC Map for the Bigelow Range has incorrect mileages, as do a number of other maps and on-line resources. As best as I can put it together, the AT from Route 27 to Stratton Brook Pond Road is 0.9 miles. The trailhead is 0.7 miles from here down Stratton Brook Pond Road (1.6 total). Then 2.4 miles to the to the junction with the Horns Pond Trail (4.0 total), and 2.3 miles from there to Bigelow Col (6.3 miles total). I will add that the posted start of the Fire Warden's Trail is about a mile from the parking area on Stratton Brook Pond Road. Out-and-back to Avery Peak and West Peak is 0.8 miles and 0.6 miles, respectively (those mileages are correct on the AMC Map).
The majority of this hike is very pleasant and easy. However, the last 1.2-mile segment of trail below Biglow Col is seriously hella steep. Daaammmnnn.
Trail conditions are excellent, meaning that the base is packed and frozen solid. However, what would otherwise be a beautiful winter sidewalk - the perfect winter condition that we wait and hope for all year long - was completely trashed with post holes out the wazoo. Absolute shame.
There was a fresh dusting of new snow, and drifts along the ridge between the summits.
I used micro-spikes to the steep section, then trail crampons. Snowshoes would have been great on the steep section, but there are so many post holes I would not even bother. I did meet up with one hiker that was, to his credit and great respect, using snowshoes on the steep section. Snowshoes would have been good between the summits just to knock down the drifts. In short, I think it is dealer's choice for traction at the moment. I don't think snowshoes will be necessary until there is another decent snowfall or it warms. |
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 | Name: |
Del |
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 | E-Mail: |
dlefevre@tarbellpa.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-18 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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