Dates ........ Saturday, August 31, 2002
Miles ........ 10.4 miles
From ........ The Hopson's Widow Walk B&B - ME Rt. 27, Stratton, ME
To ............. Safford Notch campsite - tent camp
Weather ... 44 degF AM, clear, warming to the mid 70's

Saturday, August 31, 2002

The Bigelows: Horns Pond and Lean-to, ~3240', South horn 3805', West Peak 4145', Avery Peak 4088', Safford Notch boulder field.

I had a great breakfast at the Widow Walk, then Mary Hopson gave me a ride back to the trailhead. I started climbing the Bigelow Range of mountains. Bigelow Mountain was a big mountain with a series of peaks. It was a real grunt of a climb - and a real joy to be on top. Partway up, on the edge of a massive boulder field, I met Sunshine, and older female hiker. She was sitting down, eating, as I passed by her. Shortly after that I passed a bunch of college kids out for their orientation hike. The boulder field was most impressive, with many garage-sized boulders dotting the woods. The trail went between, around and over them, much like Mahoosuc Notch except not as confined.

Mary and Jerry Hopson of the Widow Walk B&B

Widow Walk B&B

Horns Pond was a pristine mountain tarn, its water sparkling, clear and cold. I paused long enough for a few pictures and a short break and continued my climb to South Horn. After the Horn I enjoyed a mile of level but rocky trail before beginning the rugged ascent of West and Avery Peaks, both barren rock and well above treeline. The view from the summit was indescribably beautiful and I was so fortunate, again, to summit on such a clear day. I met three other through-hikers (Cameron, Starvin Marvin, and Rainbird, I think) and their dog on top of the mountain. The descent from Avery was memorable - incredibly steep and rugged, nearly vertical in many places. It was a most worthy challenge. The shoulder of the mountain was a little less challenging as it led to Safford Notch and the side trail to the campsite.

Nearing the summit of 4145' West Peak

Atop the awesome West Peak, Bigelow Range, ME, looking back at "the Horns" 2 miles distant.

Avery Peak (4088') viewed from West Peak, with the rest of the Bigelow Range trailing off to right.

As soon as I broke away from the main trail and headed toward Safford Notch campsite I entered a massive boulder field with boulders bigger than those in the famed Mahoosuc Notch. In two places the trail went underneath massive rocks large enough to stand up inside. The whole mountainside was a jumble of boulders, many as big as an average house. The trail wove a very circuitous route between, over, around and through them. It was an awesome, giant playground.

After playing in the boulder field awhile, I finally arrived at the campsite. There were four tent platforms, some ground tentsites, ample water, and a privy. I set up on a nice platform, hung my food bag, got water, and did a bit of reading. The Hopsons had given me a Reader's Digest with an article on 9-11 I wanted to read. I enjoyed my supper immensely - savoring every bite of the massive roast beef, mustard and mayo sandwiches I had made. Yummy! As I was enjoying supper, Sunshine came by and set up on one of the other platforms. Then, just as I was going to bed, another couple (weekenders) came by and quietly set up on the flat ground near my platform. I just dozed off (about 8:30) when some noisy weekender friends of theirs came by and set up camp in the same place. After they talked and laughed noisily for over an hour, keeping me from going to sleep, I politely yelled over and asked them to quiet down so I could sleep. They finally fell silent and I drifted back into a much-needed sleep.

 

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