Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain (South Horn), Bigelow Mountain (West Peak), Bigelow Mountain (Avery Peak), ME |
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| Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Firewarden's Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 20, 2010 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Space for 2 or 3 cars on Rt. 27 |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
There major water crossings |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Hard pack and easy to follow up the Appalachian trail from rt 27 to Horn Pond shelter. 6 to 10 inches loose snow on hard pack to the Horn from the Shelter. Increasing depths of loose granular snow heading into the cole between south Horn and West peak and reaching depths of unbroken snow of 3 or 4 feet of blown and drifting snow at about the midpoint between the two summits. The last 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile to the summit of West Peak was very challenging with a steep climb in deep snow, trees across the trail like pick up sticks with piles of snow on top of them. Very hard to follow the trail and times when we had to crawl for 10 or 20 feet at a time to get through the thickest part. Once above treeline on West peak you are on solid frozen snow and rock. The trail between west peak and Avery peak is clear and broken out nicely. The Fire Warden's trail is well tracked out and offers the best 1/4 long but slide I have ever experienced as you leave the cole. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
Lost my Nikon Camera Shade on the Fire Warden's trail as we left the cole. If found please email me at bob@winterhiking.org |
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| Comments: |
There are numerous privy's and campsites all along the route, lots of signs at all the trail junctions with clear mileage to the next junction or summit. Beautiful are to hike in. |
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| Name: |
Robert Manley |
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| E-Mail: |
bob@winterhiking.org |
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| Date Submitted: |
2010-02-23 |
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| Link: |
https://www.winterhiking.org |
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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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