| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow Mountain - Avery Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Stratton Brook Pond Road, Fire Warden’s Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Stratton Brook Pond Rd is not accessible by vehicle at the time of this report. Ice and snow still cover this road. The few exposed parts are undergoing thawing and will sink your vehicle. I sank 2 inches while on foot and I’m 150 lbs... imagine what would happen to your tires... Parked at junction of Pond Loop and Stratton Pond Rd, off road where plow apparently stopped during winter. Be careful, I almost sank here too. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Lovely intact human constructed bridge over one and only major water crossing. All others hoppable or rock “bridges.†|
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The tote road that leaves from Stratton Brook parking area to meet junction with trail proper is now renamed “Blowdown Boulevard.†These are negotiable but time consuming. Very fresh blue blazes below Moose Falls campsite. Faded blazes up to the AT, they are visible now though above the snow. There is a major blowdown 1 foot in front of the privy at Moose Falls campsite. Whew! Barely missed the privy! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No canines, or humans that matter, out today. |
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 | Bugs: |
The Maine state bird, the black fly, has awoken. Several buzzing around at lower elevations. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
As noted above, the tote road is strewn with multiple blow downs. This winter was windy and rough... the trees tell the tale.
Only bare boots required from start of road walk on Stratton Brook Pond Rd to Moose Falls campsite. This is roughly 3.5 miles from the trailhead. Any monorail encountered was unstable as levels are very shallow.
Then Maine reminded me why I usually wait for the snow to recede in the spring... from Moose Falls Campsite to the junction with the AT it is a steeeeeeeeeep ascent. It always is on fire warden trails. But spring conditions, including an unstable monorail up to 3500 feet, make for an unnerving climb. The snow and ice are compacted making what is normally a very steep ascent into an even steeper one. Redeeming factor: snowshoes can still bite into the snow mix making steps. This is the only reason I kept going. Snowshoes were adequate for this portion on both the ascent and descent, well maybe a mix of snowshoes and butt for the descent.
The white AT blazes are visible above the snow pack, until you are about 0.2 miles past the caretaker’s cabin. From there is was reliance on memory to climb the finale length to the summit. Beware, there are Maine spruces who love to poke eyes, take glasses and hats, and hide the trail. Buggas!
Best of luck and enjoy this beautiful trail! As much as this trail torments you, the reward of views is, undoubtedly, well worth it. Come in summer to really revel in the gorgeous rock stairs on the trail. They are something to behold in their own right. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-05-01 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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