Two Maine Hike "Elevation Gain" Inquiries

[SherpaTom]

We are planning to hike (Avery, West & Horns) and (Crockers & Reddington) the following day in early October.

From what we have gathered, ascending Fire Warden & descending Horns pond Trail is the preferred method of travel. We estimate 13.4 miles, including the .5 miles on the road each way. What we can't place our fingers on is the overall eveation gain. Appears the answer is somewhere between 3500' - 4300' so if anyone has some info, please pass along.

Same with Crockers/Reddington via the AT by Crocker Circue Tentsite (also interested in the Caribou Valley Road conditions). This is the shortest route which we have seen some posts on with what appears to be approx 8.6 miles. Again looking for info on elevation gain if someone has it.

Thanks all for your input.

 

[KRobi]

Based on my wife's GPS of that exact hike (Bigelows and Horns) we show 12.6 for distance and 4413 ascending. We parked at the "main" lot but some drove in a bit further (at the stream crossing).

 

[JustBob]

I did Crockers and Redington via the AT from CVR, then down by logging roads from Redington to CVR a couple of weeks ago. That was about 12.9 miles/3380ft.

CVR was passable in my Honda Accord to the parking area before the steel bridge. The road was blocked with concrete barriers before the bridge.

 

[JoeCedar]

By altimeter (Garmin GPSs seem to overestimate ascent) the total ascent for the Bigelows (out and back) on the Fire Warden trail is 3320 ft for 10.8 miles.

 

[sdways01]

I've done all of these peaks this summer, so here is my info to weigh in...
For the Horn and Bigelows, my GPS showed 11.549 miles with 3,632 ft of vertical gain. I parked near Stratton Pond I went up horns pond trail then across the ridge and down fire wardens. Fire wardens is steep at the end gaining over 1000 ft in less than a mile.(notice the contour line in this shot) I'm glad I did the loop in the direction I did personally. I go down steeps better than up. The step section did have very nice stone work though to help out.
For Crockers and Redington, my GPS showed 10.616 miles with 3,350 ft of vertical gain. That is using the herd path to Redington and out on the logging roads.

Disclaimer: My GPS doesn't give me a running total of elevation gain, I do the math afterwards looking at the track. Very small ups and downs I tend to ignore. Possibly buying a new GPS this weekend as mine also has other features I don't like now. Maybe the new one will save me the math.

 

[TEO]

I'd encourage the OP to do the North Bigelow Horn, too, even though it lacks the prominence to be on the NEHH list. It's only a couple of minutes out to it from South Bigelow Horn and it is another spectacular summit.

 

[sdways01]

I'd encourage the OP to do the North Bigelow Horn, too, even though it lacks the prominence to be on the NEHH list. It's only a couple of minutes out to it from South Bigelow Horn and it is another spectacular summit.

I didn't bother going the day I was there because the view was only about 50 feet at that time.

 

[KRobi]

By altimeter (Garmin GPSs seem to overestimate ascent) the total ascent for the Bigelows (out and back) on the Fire Warden trail is 3320 ft for 10.8 miles.

Reading on GPS may or may not be off but we did all the peaks in the range (Avery, West, South Horn and North Horn) to cover all possible lists. Same route the OP plans on doing (Up Firewardens, across ridge and down Horns Pond.

 

[SherpaTom]

Thanks all for the info

 

[trailbagger]

By altimeter (Garmin GPSs seem to overestimate ascent) the total ascent for the Bigelows (out and back) on the Fire Warden trail is 3320 ft for 10.8 miles.

I only know my own GPS -- which *is* a Garmin -- but the elevation is determined by a barometer, i.e., it is based on air pressure. On windy days, every strong gust will momentarily lower the air pressure (Bernoulli effect) and the GPS will assume that your elevation briefly increased. The recorded total elevation gain, which only goes up, is notched up for each abrupt change in wind speed. Hence, the GPS always estimates elevation gain on the high side when hiking in gusty conditions. If anyone cares