| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain - Avery Peak, Bigelow Mountain - West Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Safford Brook Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
East Flagstaff Road is nicely graded and should be passable for all vehicles. The parking area was not full today. The trail starts across the road from the lot (no sign at the road). Kiosk at the lot.
Long Falls Dam Road that starts in North New Portland at route 16 is very long but is paved and in good condition. Didn't notice any signs at the route 16 - Long Falls Dam Road junction for the Bigelow Preserve. I thought I saw a sign a couple of years ago.
East Flagstaff Road has a sign and the road is on the left just after a row of mailboxes on the right side of Long Falls Dam Road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossing of Safford Brook is easy on rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
MATC trail maintenance is good. MATC cleared out many blowdowns on the upper east face of Avery Peak and the east side of West Peak.
Safford Brook Trail will need some trimming as undergrowth is infringing on the trail. One 12"+ diameter tree across the Safford Brook Trail within sight of East Flagstaff Road.
I cut out one evergreen across the Safford Brook Trail just uphill of the sign-in register. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. The ridge had no water except for the covered water source between Avery Peak and Bigelow Col. |
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 | Bugs: |
Only a few. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The trails were almost all dry surfaces. Good footing. The most difficult footing was a short stretch between Avery Peak and Bigelow col.
I would recommend walking out to each short side trails that are signed in order to see the views (mountains, cliffs, and lakes). The Old Man's Head viewpoint is about 0.1 miles off the AT, The open ledge is just beyond the well beaten path. You get a good view of Flagstaff Lake and the cliffs of Little Bigelow from this vantage point. Also, many ripe blueberries at this viewpoint as well as some just below Avery Peak.
The large boulders near the junction of Safford Brook Trail and the AT are interesting. I think they're bigger than Quimby's Pillow on Mt Moriah.
The views from the alpine areas on both of Mt Bigelow's 4K peaks are among the best in New England.
Saw Indian Pipe, Bluebead Lily berries, Blueberries, Bunchberries, and Goldenrod.
Saw lots of AT thru and section hikers. Met a Northampton MA man who completed the 111 NE peaks for two rounds. Met two camp groups and a family with a 7 & 13 year old.
The visibility was improved as there was much less smoke. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-08-05 |
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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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