Bigelow

[Meo]

Maybe I missed something, but I didn't read any fresh report of the Firewarden's trail on Bigelow. Do somebody know if the road to the summer trailhead is plowed? Would I be able to reach it with a front 2WD (Ford Focus)? Would following the AT be a better option at this time of year (I never climbed Bigelow in winter)?

Thanks, as always!

 

[injektilo]

I drove all the way to the trailhead on January 13 with a 4wd pickup. There was probably about 2-3 inches of old snow on top of patchy ice. We had no problem but I was in four wheel drive the whole way. I think it snowed that night so conditions may have changed. I don't think I would have attempted it with a front wheel drive car unless it had decent snow tires on it... and even then maybe not.

There are some camps along Stratton Brook Pond Road for the first 0.3 to 0.4 miles though. You should easily be able to drive in part of the way. That would leave you with about a one mile road walk which would be shorter than going up the AT and over to Avery and West Peaks.

Bigelow is beautiful in the winter. Have fun!

 

[Mad Townie]

Meo, walk the road and take the Firewarden's trail. By now there's probably a plow bank at the Rt. 27 end of the Stratton Brook Pond Road, and in any event you'd need a serious vehicle, 4WD and chains, if there's any snow and ice on it at all. You can come down the AT if you're going overnight.

Whatever you do, don't drive in with a 2WD pickup, park at the far bottom of a hill, and have it snow while you're sleeping up at Avery Col or Horns Pond. Don't ask me how I know that. (It was a LONG time ago, and I'm MUCH smarter now! )

 

[Meo]

Nice pic, injektilo!

We'll probably give it a go next Sunday. Motabobo will join us. Hopefully we'll be able to drive for a short distance on the road (reaching those camps?).

 

[marty]

Nice pic, injektilo!

I agree. Great shot, Kevin! Nice job of capturing the lake in it, too. Was your pickup a Silver Tacoma, per chance?

Regards,
Marty