A Frosty Traverse of the Bigelows

[alavigne]

Hi, All

Thought you might be interested in a great 2-day traverse of the Bigelow Range we did last weekend. Living west of the Adirondacks means I don't pay as much attention to Maine's peaks as I should.

I found the range to have a great combo of variety, scenery, and relative seclusion. Maybe that's because it was a particularly cold weekend during a 'shoulder' season (i.e. November). Or, maybe it's just generally secluded. Hopefully it is the latter because I think I'd like to back and do this one again.

We parked one car at the Bigelow Range trailhead in Stratton and the other at the Round Barn campground (actually the Safford Brook parking area) on Flagstaff Lake, and traversed across the range (minus Little Bigelow) in two days.

It was co-old, and there was a fair coating of snow and ice above 3000 feet, but it was still great. Even Cranberry peak is a great little summit. Full pictures, maps, and writeup can be found below:

A Frosty Traverse of the Bigelow Range

 

[injektilo]

Nice pictures! Bigelow is one of my favorites.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Nice! I've done an up and back from both ends, but I would love to do it that way too. I've always had great weather up there, glad you're trip was a success!

 

[king tut]

Great report, Sweet pics! I love Bigelow, one of my favorite ranges. I might have to go do my annual traverse of the range when I am home for Thanksgiving....Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mad Townie]

(minus Little Bigelow)

An excellent idea! Little Big has always struck me as nothing but PUDs and hardly worth the walk unless one is doing the AT.

The rest of the Bigelow Range is probably my favorite place on earth. Glad you had such a good time!

 

[una_dogger]

I love the Bigelows! I added Cranberry Peak to my traverse, also. I did the Bigelow's during the "other shoulder season", in early May 2003 as part of an AT backpack from Oqquosuc to Monson. We also began the day in Stratton and camped at the Horn's Pond Sites. The Bigs were definately the highlight of my Maine AT trek!

Your pics are great, I have to get to Maine again someday soon!

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Bigelows

So far I have only admired them from afar. We go to Rangeley a lot, but have done little climbing there. Your photos make me want to do that hike even more. I only have Saddleback in that area, and some minor hills. I really like the way your website is set up. Real nice! Keep us posted of your future trips!

KDT

 

[DreamFarmer]

Hey Andrew !

You cracked me up with Ewart and his snoring. Now I know why you guys don't camp too much !

Sounds like a great spot. Great Report and pictures as well !

Ready to polish off the 46W ? and Jenn both ?

 

[alavigne]

Hi, Clay

Yep, I only have 5 winter 46ers to go - pretty sure that'll get done this year. Jenn's got 12 more winters to go for hers, and that's also pretty doable, so yeah, maybe both of us will [finish off our winter 46ers] this year. You're welcome to join us again on any of our outings

I think the first this winter will be Allen. I need to psychologically get that one out of the way!

 

[timmus]

Thanks for sharing, it's very inspiring...

The Bigelows were one of my first hiking trip planned outside Quebec, in 2004. Back then I didn't know about lists, vftt, and never heard of the Cog on Wash. I don't remember why, but it never happened...

I'm planning to finish the 115 on the Bigelows, and you just re-enforced that idea.

 

[Tim Seaver]

Nice pictures of one of my favorite ranges! Such a great variety of viewpoints and features.

I have always wanted to do a hike/kayak loop of the range, starting at Stratton and going over the range, then returning to Stratton with a (spotted) kayak via Flagstaff Lake.

 

[Papa Bear]

Nice pictures of one of my favorite ranges! Such a great variety of viewpoints and features.

I have always wanted to do a hike/kayak loop of the range, starting at Stratton and going over the range, then returning to Stratton with a (spotted) kayak via Flagstaff Lake.

If you don't get a spot, get a partner to do the reverse and swap paddles/hiking shoes at the turnaround. Summer Camp groups often do this - I saw several when I did that AT section.