Just south of the Hundred Mile Wilderness is the Bigelow Range. We are hiking Little Bigelow today, beginning on a 3 mile side trail, then 6 miles on the AT heading north. Our leader, Steve, is the maintainer for this section. He lives in Portland and makes the 2.5 hour drive to clear trail, often carrying a chainsaw. He is happy not to have to carry it today. Three of us are from North Carolina and there are three from Pennsylvania. Jane, whom I have hiked with before at other events, is from Georgia. Steve's son rounds out the group and we are ready to go. Based on yesterday's hike, I am expecting a grueling 9 miles. That turns out not to be the case. We have a gradual hike up for 3 miles to the AT and nowhere near the number of rocks we saw yesterday.
When we arrived at the AT, we were treated to a wonderful rock cathedral above us. We walked between the giant rocks in narrow passages. The trail entered a dense forest with lush undergrowth, giant ferns and lots of club moss, running cedar and other mosses.
About an hour from the junction, we stopped for lunch. Our group had broken into 2 distinct groups. The second group arrived at lunch about the time we were packed up and ready to hike again. Temperatures were very mild, in the 60s all day. We had mostly sunny weather and on top, a fierce wind.
Just a few minutes into our after lunch walk, we reached a wonderful view in 3 directions. Above is Avery Peak and the rest of the Bigelows are hiding behind it. I was told the water was Flagstaff Lake. I didn't take a photo of Sugarloaf here. It is blemished by a myriad of ski trails.
I spoke at length with Jim from Pennsylvania. He thru hiked in 2017 (Early Bird). Earlier on the hike, we ascertained that he had completed with one of Jane's buddies from GA. Jim mentioned that his life goal was to be the oldest thru hiker of the AT. Currently the record is an 82 year old fellow. Jim thinks the record will be advanced up a few years by the time he reaches 82 in 18 years. I hope he lives that dream.
Erratics are everywhere here on the ridge. The trail undulates along here, bouncing from false summit to false summit. Just when you think you must have missed it, the summit appears. Steve had described what to look for, otherwise we would have never known. The wind blew so hard here, I could barely stand when exposed to it. I was ahead of the group at this point and found a sheltered spot to sit until a few of our group caught up.
Indian Pipe among moss
Avery Peak with the Bigelow Range behind
It is 3 miles back to the trailhead. The walk is a steep downhill at spots. We have to pick our footsteps carefully. After a couple miles, things level out and the walking is easy once again.
Our group arrives first and we shuttle the cars to have them ready for the rest of the group. We hiked the 9 miles in 6 1/2 hours.
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