Hike Summary
The Bigelow Mountain Range is one of Maine's most iconic mountain ranges and often seen as the second most challenging hike in Maine (after Katahdin of course). Stretching about 19 miles, the range includes several peaks, with West Peak and Avery Peak being the highest at over 4,000 feet and several backcountry campsites along the way. This is a hike not to underestimate! In early August, my friend Julia, my dog Luna, and I embarked on this adventure, starting from the Stratton Brook Pond trailhead and ending at Little Bigelow Gravel Pit—a journey that tested us but left us with unforgettable memories.
Preparing for the hike
When tackling a range like Bigelow, packing light is essential. For meals, we brought backpacker food and a small jet boil for heating water, along with snacks like pepperoni, nuts, and apples, which Luna and I shared. With temperatures soaring, we were thankful for the electrolyte packets our friend Ben gave us, which helped us stay hydrated. Despite carrying 3L of water, I ended up drinking about 8L a day due to the heat. Bringing Luna added some extra weight, with her food, water, and other necessities, but her companionship was more than worth it. I don't have expensive lightweight gear but I did my best to keep weight down.
Day one
We set out on a hot and humid morning from the trailhead on Curry Road in Stratton. The first day’s hike covered just over 6 miles, but the humidity made it feel much longer. The dense forest offered some shade, but the air was thick and heavy, and even Luna, who usually bounds ahead, seemed to feel the heat. Frequent breaks for water and shade were necessary, especially as we made the steep climb to our first peak, Cranberry Peak (3,213 ft.). The reward was a panoramic view of Flagstaff Lake and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Despite the tough conditions, the trail was beautiful. The path wound through lush forests, with occasional openings that offered teasing glimpses of the peaks ahead. The sound of our boots crunching on the rocky terrain and the occasional bird call were the only noises breaking the stillness of the forest. We encountered very few other hikers. Julia and I chatted as we hiked, sharing stories and enjoying the peacefulness that comes with being out in nature, even as the sweat dripped down our faces.
A few hours after we descended Cranberry Peak, we finally reached our destination for the night: Horn Pond. The sight of the pond was a welcome relief after the hot, grueling hike. Surrounded by trees and nestled in a small valley, the pond's clear, cool water beckoned us to dive in. We set up our camp quickly, eager to shed our packs and jump into the refreshing water.
Cooling Down at Horn Pond
The alpine pond was exactly what we needed after a day of hiking in the heat. The water was cool and invigorating, providing the perfect way to wash off the sweat and grime from the trail. Luna wasted no time, plunging into the pond and splashing around with pure joy. Julia and I followed, wading into the water and letting the coolness envelop us. There’s something incredibly rejuvenating about swimming in a mountain pond, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the wilderness.
After our swim, we dried off on the rocks by the pond, letting the late afternoon sun warm us up. We cooked a simple backpacker meal, enjoying the view of the pond as we ate. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, and as the sky darkened, we settled into our tents, tired but content.
Day Two
The second day had me nervous with 13 miles ahead of us and the major peaks still to come. Plus there was a chance of severe thunderstorms for the afternoon- not good when a lot of your hike is above tree line.
We decided to wake up before sunrise at 4:45 am so we could get an early start on our 13 mile day and get off the major peaks before the storms came. The air was cooler, and a light breeze had set in, making for more comfortable hiking conditions. We packed up our camp, chugged and refilled our waters, and hit the trail.
The climb on the second day was steeper and more challenging, but the cooler weather made it much more bearable. As we ascended, the trail grew rockier, with sections that required us to scramble over boulders. Luna navigated the rocks with her usual enthusiasm, and Julia and I followed, taking our time to ensure we had solid footing. We reached our first major peak, South Horn (3,806 ft), around 8 am. The higher we climbed, the more spectacular the views became. Our next major peak Bigelow West Peak seemed so far away.
West Peak and Avery Peak
The climb to West Peak (4,144 ft.) was a highlight of the trip. Reaching the summit, we took a moment to soak in the views and the sense of accomplishment. For Luna, this was her first 4,000-footer, and she handled it like a pro. She was staying on the trail, her paws were in good shape, she was drinking enough water and her energy was high. She helped boost Julia and my morale more than once. The trek to Avery Peak (4,088 ft.) was tough because we needed to descend quite a bit before heading back up but it was short and the remnants of an old fire tower added an interesting historical element to the climb. As clouds began to roll in, we knew it was time to get off the high peaks.
The Storm Comes In
As we neared our final summit, Little Bigelow Peak (3,070 ft.), the storm hit. Thunder boomed, and rain poured down, soaking us to the bone. Luna, surprisingly unbothered, stayed close by even though the storm was so intense I thought we must have been in the cloud that was creating the storm. I was grateful to be under the trees and not on top of one of the large mountains at that time. This storm meant that for the rest of our hike the trail and rocks would be wet and slippery.
Final Leg
From Little Bigelow Peak it's only 3 miles to the car. Both Julia and I were exhausted, hungry, and dehydrated but knowing our 19 mile journal was in its final stretch gave us the motivation to push through. Luna, ever the trooper, seemed just as energetic at the end of the hike as she was at the beginning, happily wagging her tail as we finished our adventure. She even tried to convince some hikers in the parking lot to throw a stick for her. Eye roll.
This two-day backpacking trip along the Bigelow Mountain Range was a perfect blend of challenge, beauty, and camaraderie. The hot and humid conditions of the first day were tough, but the reward of cooling off in Horn Pond and the stunning views from the summits made it all worthwhile. Hiking with Julia and Luna added to the experience, making it a memorable adventure that I’ll cherish for a long time.
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