Bigelows & Horns (6/30), Sugarloaf (7/1)

[blaze]

A few shots from last weekend's peakbagging excursion to northwestern Maine. We hiked the Bigelows and the Horns (up Firewarden's, down Horn Pond/Firewarden's) on Saturday, and Sugarloaf (via the AT from Caribou Pond Road) on Sunday.

We'd intended to also do Spaulding and Abraham on Sunday, but an excess of apres-hike celebration on Saturday evening led to a later start than planned.

Numerous smiling thru hikers (mostly southbound), day hikers, and section hikers met along the way.

Avery Peak summit

Southbounder - Will aka "Tortoise", on Avery Peak - sorry for the blurry shot! http://www.walkingwithwill.com/

On North Horn

Meadow on Horn Pond Trail

Northern Ring-Necked Snake - spotted while ascending Sugarloaf

AT stream crossing, returning from Sugarloaf summit

I had not hiked Sugarloaf in 15+ years.

Caribou Pond Road is in decent shape and passable (with care) by 2wd vehicles to within ~10 minutes walk of the AT crossing (which is not well marked). It is blocked and closed to vehicles beyond that point.

A great weekend of hiking. Thanks to the Carmenator!

Photos

 

[ow2010]

A fantastic set of pictures! Looks like you hit the weather perfectly for these peaks. Can't wait to make it up there myself sometime (hopefully soon)!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[TDawg]

Good to see that, from the looks of it, the Maine Parks and Lands has cleaned up the burnt remains of the Avery tower? And also, that the 2x10 over the South Branch Carrabassett is still chained to the rock in all it's glory.

Nice pictures.