| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelows, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
AT, Fire Wardens trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
AT trailhead on RT 27 plowed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No significant crossings |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several duck under and step over blowdowns but no serious obstacles. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Beautiful winter day. Started out below zero but quickly warmed up to comfortable temperature for hiking and essentially no wind. Some prior light traffic on the AT up to Stratton Brook Road. Somewhat disappointed but not surprised to see no tracks on the fire warden trail, just a faint trench with firm base underneath several inches of snow initially. Somewhere above Horns Pond trail the trench and firm base were no longer present, just unconsolidated snow. Some areas had sun baked crust that was not anywhere near firm enough to hold your weight. Suffering started in earnest in the steep areas above Moose Falls campsite.The loose snow made it necessary to vigorously kick step each and every step and still there was some backwards slippage making for very slow progress. The only good news was that there was virtually no ice encountered. Took the two of us well over 2 hours to do the 1.2 miles up to the col. Route finding was a little challenging in and around the col but I think we pretty much were on trail the whole time. Went over to Avery first then back over to West peak. Some faint snowshoe tracks seen intermittently on the AT. Breathtaking views as always but we could not linger. By Horns Pond Trail junction we had head lamps on and it was a long slow walk back to the car. No other hikers seen on trail. |
|
 | Name: |
Curt S |
|
 | E-Mail: |
cmsny@charter.net |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-02-05 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
