BIGELOW HIKE RESCHEDULED
Stone Soup, Swimming and and A Night at the Col
Mark your calendars: CVOA will be hiking Bigelow Hike Sept. 25-26.
It's time to take a hike in our own backyard!
CVOA has been peak-hopping for several years, climbing mountains throughout Maine and New Hampshire. This month, we're staying home.
The outdoor club plans to hike Bigelow Mountain Sept. 25. Hikers will have the option of a day climb or an overnight at the tent platform by the fire wardens' cabin at the Col.
CVOA has "bartered" its services for the site: A 3-person advance team will hike up Friday to clean the cabin, rid it of mice and act as "meeters and greeters" for hikers coming through Friday night to Sunday morning. In exchange, overnight hikers will be able to use the tent platforms, store their gear in the cabin and use the stove, pots& pans and utensils stored there... definitely a load-lightener!
The hike offers excellent views of Carrabassett Valley, Sugarloaf, the surrounding mountains and Flagstaff Lake. We will be hiking the Warden's Trail from Stratton Brook up to Bigelow Col.
The details:
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 3 hrs, 40 min.
Difficulty: Moderate but with a steep 1.5 mile section
Hikers will meet at 8AM Saturday, July 25th at the parking area on Stratton Brook Road, approximately 2.6 miles in from Rt. 27. Stratton Brook Road is about 3.2 miles northwest of the Sugarloaf Access Road. Sandy Jamison will be leading the hikers up to the Col.
This hike has some easy grades, crosses several brooks and has a steep climb over some ledges. The grade becomes increasingly steep near the end with a trail gain of 1700' in 1.5 miles. It's a challenging trek so don't underestimate the time -- or the amount of water .. you'll need.
There are tent platforms at the Col as well as an outhouse. Linda & Paul Trueworthy and Nancy Perry have reserved the Warden's Cabin and will serve as cleaners, cooks and caretakers for the weekend.
For those staying overnight, there will be a "stone soup" dinner served up by the advance team. Half the hikers will be asked to bring an appetizer, bread or dessert for Saturday dinner. The other half will be asked to bring breakfast for Sunday morning. Let us know your preference when you sign up for the hike.
In addition, everyone needs to bring their own lunch, their own water and one bottle of water to share at the Col in case the stream is dry.
Overnight campers should bring sleeping bags, tents, headlamps and other gear... but can skip the stoves, pots and dishes.
Please contact Sandy Jamison if you plan to attend at 265-2397 or cvoasecretary@tds.net