| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain - Avery Peak, Bigelow Mountain - West Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Firewarden’s Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 21, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The official parking area is at the end of Stratton Brook Pond Road. You will see a large trailhead sign with a map showing the area trails. The dirt lot fits about six cars. Just before the official lot, there is a small overflow parking area. The dirt road leading to the parking area is well maintained.
If you want to save yourself a .4 walk both ways, you can continue down the road (to the left of the trail sign) to another small parking area. This parking area is located at the edge of Stratton Brook Pond. I don’t know if this is an official parking area but there is room for approximately six cars. There were two pickup trucks, a car and a trailer parked there when I hiked by at 6:00am. This section of the road is not maintained. It is rutted and muddy but any car with relatively high clearance should not have a problem. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridged at Stratton pond, the rest are easy walk overs. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The blue trail blaze, on the rocks marking the "water hole" at the AT junction, is confusing (at least it was for me). It took me off trail for about 10 minutes. I thought I would mention it since there are a number of 'false trails' in that area. It's possible other hikers have been confused by it as well. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I didn't see any on the trail, but it shouldn't be a problem for most mountain loving pooches. |
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 | Bugs: |
Lots of horseflies and mosquitoes but they weren't bothering me too much. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
none |
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 | Comments: |
This hike is rated as moderate on “AllTrails†and the “4000footers†site. I don’t know if it was the heat, or the fact that most of this hike is long, boring and viewless, that made me feel I’d never make it to the col. If it wasn’t for the toads and mushrooms to amuse me along the way, I’m not sure I would have made it. Based on this, I would consider this difficult/steepness, moderate/length hike.
Privys! There are three, lovely, clean toilets along the trail. Made my heart sing ;).
The water supply hole marked with a blue blaze is not viable at this time. There is a much better wood-covered water supply on the right hand side of the trail just before the AT junction. There are at least three areas on along the trail to replenish your water supply.
Six left on my NE67 quest :D
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 | Name: |
Solowoodlandwanderer |
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 | E-Mail: |
bugsandthings@comcast.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-07-22 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.facebook.com/roberta.m.dellanno/media_set?set=a.10212368917611143.1073742307.1626231855&type=3&pnref=story |
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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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