| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain - Avery Peak, Bigelow Mountain - West Peak, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Safford Brook Trail, Appalachian Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, September 9, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
East Flagstaff Road is a well graded gravel road. Long Falls Dam Road is a paved road with a 45 MPH so the 20+ miles from North New Portland can be travelled in a reasonable time. Small parking lot off East Flagstaff Road with kiosk. Trail starts across the road from the parking lot. The trail sign is set back in the woods so it is not visible from the trailhead. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All insignificant. Some spanned by plank or bog bridges. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
MATC maintaining the trails well. Some trimming required in a few spots on the Safford Brook Trail. The pathway is still quite visible at this time. Bog bridges on the Safford Brook Trail are in good condition. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
|
 | Bugs: |
Many small gnats swarming in the leeside of both peaks. Many bugs inside the old Avery Peak fire tower foundation (out of the wind). These bugs weren't biting but were bothersome. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The Safford Brook Trail is an easy access route to the AT. Many stretches of near level hiking mixed with sloped sections.
The AT is rugged with many rocks, roots, and ledges. Good New England hiking terrain. Be sure to hike the many side trails as they provide many great views. The Old Man's Head spur trail is 0.1 miles long and it ends at a ledge area where there is a herd path leading to an open ledge with a great view of Flagstaff Lake. Fantastic views from the summits and the open ridge areas. Signs remind hikers to stay on the footway to avoid stomping on the fragile vegetation.
Lots of hikers. Most were either AT thru hikers or section hikers. Hikers from Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Maryland, North Carolina, Colorado, Virginia, and Massachusetts. There were also day hikers from Georgia, Massachusetts, and Maine.
The Maine public lands never disappoint. These lands were protected by the Maine voters for public use and include lakes, mountains, and seacoast. Long ago there were plans to commercially develop Bigelow Mountain. Thankfully the land was preserved. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-09-09 |
|
 | 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. |
|
