LITTLE BIGELOW MOUNTAIN - GREAT VIEWS FROM THE TOP
Little Bigelow Mountain in western Maine offers an excellent medium level hike with exceptional views of Carrabassett Valley and Flagstaff Lake. The eastern most peak in the Bigelow Range, the entire three mile hike to the summit is within the pristine Bigelow Preserve. We had a packed surface for our winter adventure, but carried snowshoes in case snow had drifted at higher elevations. After passing the Little Bigelow Campsite, the trail climbed steadily to open ledges overlooking frozen Flagstaff Lake. Continuing beyond the ledges, the snow and ice packed path ascended over exposed sections and through patchy, stunted coniferous growth to the ridge where we had spectacular views of the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort and the surrounding mountains in the west. Continuing along the ridge to the true summit, elevation 3,025 feet, we enjoyed sporadic views of the high peaks of the Bigelow Range, which are featured in our mountain guidebook, Mountains for Mortals – New England. The conditions at the top were spectacular; clear and sunny with moderate temperatures. We found shelter from north winds facing southwest on the edge of a precipitous cliff and savored a long, scenic lunch break. For me, a most pleasurable aspect of the winter mountaineering experience is descending a well-packed trail on snowshoes. One almost effortlessly glides down the trail with little of the rocky, hard-surface impact encountered during the other three seasons. We had an uncommonly gentle descent and phenomenal day. Our guidebook has 30 of the best, most scenic hikes in New England. Each trek includes GPS coordinates, precise directions to the trailhead, comprehensive description of the recommended hike, trail map, elevation profile and other pertinent data. For more information on our book and other outdoor adventures, visit our website at www.ronchaseoutdoors.com