| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Little Bigelow, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
East Flagstaff Road, Stafford Brook Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 11, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
East Flagstaff Road is open for the season |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
We were able to get across Safford Brook with dry feet |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in good shape, other than the typical after winter blowdowns |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Great for dogs |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Today was an absolutely spectacular day for a big loop over Little Bigelow! We made a ~14 mile loop using East Flagstaff Road, Safford Brook Trail, and the Appalachian Trail. We parked at the Little Bigelow Gravel Pit Trailhead and started with an easy ~4 mile road walk on East Flagstaff Road to the Safford Brook Trailhead.
We ascended to the AT on the Safford Brook Trail, which is in pretty good shape, except for the typical after winter blowdowns. We were able to cross Stafford Brook without getting our feet wet, as the stream was not as high as we feared it might be.
We reached the AT in Safford Notch and did a short out and back to Stafford Notch Campsite. Then it was up to the ridgeline of Little Bigelow and the many beautiful viewpoints along it. Today was perfectly clear and visibility was unlimited. Between the big viewpoints on the west and east side of the ridge, as well as the many smaller ones along the way, we could see everything from the High Peaks and Boundary Range all the way to Katahdin.
There were some muddy areas and blowdowns, but the trails were all in generally good condition. There were only some minor patches of snow and ice on and near the trail. The best part, besides the views, was that we didn't see anyone else the entire day! As a side note, this may be a controversial opinion, but Happy Horseshoe Campground may be the best place in the state to stop for an ice cream! |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-11 |
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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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