Bigelow Directions: MAPS ARE AT BOTTOM

For the western end of the range: If you are driving on Route 16/27 in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, drive West from the Sugarloaf USA Ski Resort entrance on the corner of Route 16 and Access Road for 5.2 miles. After passing a parking lot for the Appalachian Trail, take the 1st right onto Stratton Brook Pond Road. Drive 1.5 miles until you reach a parking area. (0.8 miles into this road, you will reach the Appalachian Trail crossing.) The trail starts on the back left side of the lot as you drive in. There are small parking areas at both the AT crossing and the Fire Warden's trailhead.

For the eastern end of the range: Take the Carriage Road off 27/16 in Carrabassett Valley, follow it to the end and turn left onto the Bog Brook Road. Shortly after this turn, veer left again onto the East Flagstaff Road; the trailhead is only a 100 yards or so on the left after this intersection; there’s a parking area on the right just prior to the AT trailhead.

THE PLAN: Meet at the Sugar Bowl at 242 Carrabassett Drive in Carrabassett Valley at 1800 on July 3 for dinner and beer. Park vehicles at both ends of trail and hike one way WEST to EAST. Can be hiked in 8 to 10 hours. Lots of hungry bugs. Be prepared.

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Bigelow Mountain is located in western Maine along the southern shore of Flagstaff Lake. Bigelow runs in an east-west direction for nearly 12 miles and is comprised of six peaks. Approximately 171 acres of alpine habitat are found on the upper portions of the ridge. The largest alpine communities are found on the central twin cones of Avery Peak (4088') and West Peak (4150'). Further to the west, and only slightly lower, North Horn (3810') and South Horn (3831') rise above the glacial tarn known as Horns Pond. Cranberry Peak (3213') and Little Bigelow (3040') form the eastern and western extents of the ridge. Prominence is 2,845 feet.

"Known as Maine's "Second Mountain", the Bigelow Range might look very different today had it not been for the efforts of many conservation groups, including the MATC. During the 1960s and '70s, land developers had plans to turn the Bigelow Range into the "Aspen of the East", but opponents forced a state referendum on the issue. In 1976, the citizens of Maine decided by a 33,000-vote margin to have the state purchase the land and create a 33,000-acre wilderness preserve. From Stratton to Flagstaff, you will walk through what could have been a series of ski lifts, ski slopes, and summit houses."

ROUTE INFORMATION

Fire Warden's Trail
The Fire Warden's Trail starts at Stratton Brook Pond and immediately crosses Stratton Brook (no bridge). Early on, the grade is fairly moderate passing through a nice section of hardwoods. At 1.6 miles, the Horns Pond Trail leaves to the left (NW). The trail passes Moose Falls Tent Site at approximately 3 miles. It then runs under West Peak and begins the steep climb to Bigelow Col. According to the Maine Mountain Guide, the trail gains 1,700 feet of elevation in the next 1.5 miles. The trail ends at the AT (4.6 miles) in Bigelow Col, also the location of Avery Memorial Tent Site. Head east along the AT for 0.4 miles to reach Avery Peak, or head west for 0.3 miles to reach West Peak.

Horns Pond Trail
The Horns Pond Trail leaves from the Fire Warden's Trail 1.6 miles from Stratton Brook Pond. It can be used with the Fire Warden's Trail and the AT to make, in my opinion, one of the nicer loops in the northeast. The trail climbs gradually and passes an old bog with an excellent view of South Horn (probably a good spot to look for moose as well). The grade then steepens as the trail climbs to the ridge and ends at the AT (4.1 miles from Stratton Brook Pond). Horns Pond is located 0.2 miles north along the AT. From the pond, the AT climbs steepily up to South Horn. Just below the summit, a small side trail leads to North Horn (worth the effort). From South Horn, the AT follows the ridge towards West and Avery Peaks.

Appalachian Trail
For northbound hikers from Route 27, the Appalachian Trail climbs steadily to the basin of Cranberry Pond and meets with the Bigelow Range Trail. The AT turns sharply north and climbs steeply through a boulder field and reaches the ridge 1.9 miles west of Horns Pond (4 miles from Route 27). The AT traverses South Horn, West Peak, Avery Peak, and the ridge of Little Bigelow before descending to the southeastern shore of Flagstaff Lake.

Bigelow Range Trail
The Bigleow Range Trail starts at the western end of Bigelow and climbs over Cranberry Peak to Cranberry Pond. The trail climbs moderately to open ledges at 1.9 miles and reaches Cranberry Peak at 3.2 miles. The trail descends to Cranberry Pond and follows the north shore where it ends at the AT, 4.1 miles from the trailhead.

In May 2005, Backpacker Magazine named the Bigelow Range Traverse the tenth most difficult day hike in America in an article titled America's Hardest Dayhikes. Backpacker cited the 17 miles of black flies with attitude and 10,000 feet of elevation gain as reasons for inclusion on the list.

The entire Bigelow Range is part of the Bigelow Public Reserved Land, a Maine Public Preserved Land that encompasses 36,000 acres. No fees for hiking or camping are required. There are numerous campsites throughout the preserve. Notable sites include Avery Memorial Tentsite, located in the col between Avery Peak and West Peak, and Safford Notch Tentsite, located just off the AT between Avery Peak and the ridge of Little Bigelow. Moose Falls Tentsite is located adjacent to the Fire Warden's Trail just before the trail begins the steep climb to Bigelow Col. There are a number of places to stay at Horns Pond and near Cranberry peak at Cranberry Pond. Additionally, there are a few primitive campsites near the trailhead for the Fire Wardens trail. The sites are nicely located on or near Stratton Brook Pond.