AT Day 144: Bigelow Mountains

Daily Miles: 16.6, Total Miles: 2,2025.6

I had a great night’s sleep in a comfortable bed. Got a shuttle from the Hostel of Maine to East Flagstaff Road to start my slackpack of the Bigelow Mountains. For a 17-mile hike, it took over an hour to drive north to the trailhead, so not an early start.

On a cool, clear morning, I started the climb to the first summit, Little Bigelow Mountain (3,025′). Fine views across the Carrabassett Valley. The trail dropped 1,000′ in elevation to Safford Notch and I then made the steep, rocky ascent to Bigelow Avery Peak (4,062′) and Bigelow West Peak (4,123′). Both of these peaks offered some of the most spectacular 360-degree views of the AT. The huge Flagstaff Lake below, Mt Washington to the southwest, Mt Katahdin to the northeast and a full view of nearby Sugarloaf Mountain and ski area.

Crystal clear but so windy, a reprieve descending to a notch but then climbed right back up to the Horns.

Finally the long, rocky, rooty descent back to ME Route 27. A long day, but one of the most memorable for me on the AT.

Once back at the Hostel, I didn’t have to work too hard for dinner. The other guests graciously shared their leftovers, starting with a plate of tasty chicken, potatoes and onions and two big servings of spaghetti topped with more chicken. Oadie shared her last ice cream sandwiches and I think I was finally full. I failed to mention that I weighed myself yesterday on the hostel’s scales. Lost the usual 30 pounds but I got a few pounds back tonight!

Saw my first and probably last snake in Maine today sunning himself on a rock. New birds today: Blue-headed Vireo and a Black-backed Woodpecker.