| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain (Avery Peak), Bigelow Mountain (West Peak), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Stratton Brook Pond Road, Firewarden's Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 2, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We drove Stratton Brook Pond Road as far as the road junction just before the Appalachian Trail crossing (~3/4-mile from the summer TH). It was plowed only to the last house 1/10-mile from Rt. 27, and was snowmobile packed from there. Our 2 vehicles (Subaru Forester and a Jeep) managed OK, but there were a few almost-moments. Trying to get out up the hill just before where we parked was a 2WD, low-clearance, snow-tire-less car who had gotten stuck the day before. We helped get him up the hill, then started hiking. There is plowed parking for a couple cars right off of Rt.27, and I would highly advise no one else try driving the road anymore, especially since it apparently snowed some overnight. There is also nowhere to turn around on the road, at least not without sinking in 8-12" or more. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The only notable crossing, the outlet of Stratton Brook Pond, had a new bridge installed in the last year or so, so easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After the excitement of pushing the random car up the hill, we set off down the road. Once across the bridge at the pond outlet, we had a lightly-broken track that looked to be from a set of snowshoes and a set of bare boots from the day before. Our 6 sets of feet went up and back on the Firewarden's Trail to the 2 4000-Footer peaks, and so aside from some ice we revealed on the steeps of the upper FWT on our way down, the trail was in good shape. We saw a pair of Canadians heading up as we descended the last of the steeps, they too were in snowshoes so things should be in good shape until the next major snowfall. There was a lightly-broken trail up the Horns Pond Trail towards that campsite, likely from the same folks that hiked the day before. While we were teased with some blue skies in the morning and during some of the ascent, we had minimal views from both peaks, and rather stiff winds. Once back at the pond, the Horns were clear of the clouds, and only the very top of West was covered. Of course. I had forgotten just how steep the upper 1.3 miles of the trail to the col was... Another great hike with Tim, Pam, Chris, Whitney, and Brent. |
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 | Name: |
madmattd |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-01-03 |
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 | Link: |
 https://mattshikes.blogspot.com |
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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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