| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bigelow, West and Avery Peaks, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
AT, Fire Wardens trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Rt 27 AT lot well plowed |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Scattered blowdowns that are easy step over or duck under |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Cold below zero start but soon warmed up to be a comfortable and beautiful day for hiking. Some prior traffic on the AT, quickly made it to Stratton Brook Road and turned right. Road well groomed for snowmobile traffic, did not see any today. Reached the kiosk and saw only a single ski track heading towards the pond. Knew then we were likely breaking trail the whole way. At beginning of Fire Warden's trail a faint trench was visible with several inches of loose snow over a firm base. Past the Horns Pond trail junction the trench and firm base vanished and it was a mixture of loose snow with some sun baked crust. The steep sections above Moose Falls campsite were very challenging. Slow progress with vigorous kick stepping the whole way with some back sliding that was very frustrating. Fortunately there were two of us to alternate trail breaking but it still took well over two hours to do the 1.2 mile section up to the col. Some route finding difficulty in the col but I think our tracks are pretty close to being on trail. Went over to Avery first and then back to West peak. Spectacular views as always but could not longer as well behind schedule. By the Horns Pond junction we were hiking by headlamp and made the long slow trudge back to the cars. Very difficult day, 12 hour round trip. No other hikers seen. Snowshoes start to finish. |
|
 | Name: |
Curt S |
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 | E-Mail: |
cmsny@charter.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-02-06 |
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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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