Some of the best hiking in Maine can be found in the Bigelow Preserve. The terrain is diverse and the surrounding landscape offers a myriad of opportunities for outdoor activities. It is certainly a rugged hike but the payoff is worth it every single time. My last visit to this area was back in 2016 when I hiked from Stratton Village to the Northeastern section of Flagstaff Lake. The goal for this trip was to get in one last overnighter before the snow started to settle in. I think we just made it.
Last minute gear check before heading up the Fire Wardens Trail. Pat’s rocking the blaze orange…
First sign of snow as we near the junction of West Peak and Avery Peak.
It’s amazing how quickly the conditions change in only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.
View from the summit of Avery Peak looking back across West Peak, our next summit.
…and the view from West Peak looking back across Avery Peak with Little Bigelow in the far distance.
Soaking up the last bit of fall foliage before it all turns white.
Horn Pond. Just below the pond you can see the lean-to’s we are staying at for the night.
Pat bundling up before settling in for a very cold night.
We awoke the next morning to catch a fleeting sunrise. The plan was to hike out early to avoid the pending rain storm that was approaching from the west.
Navigating an area of blow-down on the Horns Pond Trail. I commended the the trail crew that cleaned this up, the amount of trees that were cleared and cut is staggering.
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