Great Pumpkin
Member
Stratton Brook Road was beautifully packed out as it is obviously a major snowmobile route. You can only drive in a few hundred feet before the plowed portion of the road ends, so plan on extra mileage from what is indicated in the Maine AMC Guide. Began our trek at about 8 a.m. Just beyond the crossing of Stratton Brook/Pond (nicely frozen over), there is a blowdown/cutdown which was impassable to snowmobiles, but someXC skiers, and at least one intrepid snowshoer had preceded our group of seven men (Spaderman, Roy Boy, Mad Dog Mark and his son Jeffrey, Kevin from Conklin, the Mighty Quinn, and your humble correspondent), plus Bear the Hiking Dog. Our thanks to all who went before us!! The Firewarden's trail to Bigelow col which we reached at just beore 1 p.m. is now nicely packed out, as our efforts were joined by a father/daughter team, who were the only two people we encountered on the trails all day, except for some friendly snowmobilers on the out-hike on Stratton Brook Road. Nailed Bigelow West Peak first, and Avery second, with tremendous views on a day that had started out with snowy skies. Left Bigelow col for the down hike at about 3 p.m. Hilarious butt-luging down the steepest segments of Firewarden's trail.
Long day's journey ended back at the cars, in full dark, a little after 6 p.m.; 10 hours to do about 13 miles. New England Winter 4Ks numbers 54 and 55 for Spaderman and moi, and our first successful summits in Maine!! Will try to do more detailed trip report with pictures later.....
Long day's journey ended back at the cars, in full dark, a little after 6 p.m.; 10 hours to do about 13 miles. New England Winter 4Ks numbers 54 and 55 for Spaderman and moi, and our first successful summits in Maine!! Will try to do more detailed trip report with pictures later.....
