Trails Used

Firewarden trail, Bigelow Range, Horn Pond trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great morning to be out in the woods. Got some quick undercast views off Bigelow peak, but otherwise we were in the clouds. No rain on us though. I got to go up with a new friend who inspired me to push the pace more than I normally do. Some of the rocks had dried from the overnight rain, so not too much slipping around. We met several folks backpacking for the weekend and camping at the col and the pond. Shout out to the caretaker, Elliot, for being awesome! No major maintenance needs to report. A couple of small jump over trees on the ridge between Bigelow and the Horn. "Burning, Burning, Burning, and nothing can cool me. But I feel fine!"

Parking

Plenty of parking at the end of Stratton pond rd

Water Crossings

All minor

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Firewarden's Trail, Horn Pond Trail, Appalachian Trail South

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great loop, although I'd probably do it CCW instead of clockwise next time to avoid coming down the steep part of Firewarden's. Horn Pond Trail is a gem, soft under foot. Horn Pond is beautiful. North Horn and South Horn are worth tacking on if you are just planning on the 4Ks.

Parking

Room for 25 or so cars on Stratton Brook Pond Road.

Water Crossings

All minor.

Wildlife

Very windy. Bugs had no chance.

Trails Used

AT, Stratton brook pond rd, Fire warden, Bigelow range, Horn pond

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

WOOOWHEE! What a day! Hit the trail to find patchy ice under 3-4" powder. Put on the snowshoes to avoid sliding around, but it was rather bony down low. That was working great up to the climb after moose falls tent site. The steepest sections were thick glare ice under powder. Pulled out the guns (k10s) which made light work of the situation. I incorrectly guessed I would need the extra grip above treeline. Drifted powder was the game up high. Back to snowshoes. Very little ice above treeline. The wind was gusting a bit, but all the clouds blew off and away! Heading over the ridge was a blast! There were a couple sections with ice under the powder which required finessing while descending. The wind died down a little by the time I was over at the horns, so I got to enjoy a break at one of my favorite places (North Horn). Getting off the horn was a little slippery in spots but I was able to do it all in just snowshoes. Horn pond trail was good, awesome views looking back to the ridge. The snow was getting sticky in the sun and bare ground was popping up in select areas, there is still enough snow to need the shoes. I tried taking off the snowshoes when I got back to Stratton pond, but immediately fell on my ass from slick ice hidden under the snow. Snowshoes back on until the end. Not quite there yet. Saw no tracks and no people. "Can you take me away to a far away place, the great unknown, the stepping stone"

Parking

Lot on rt27 is plowed. I was the only one there today

Water Crossings

Nothing major, all jumpable. Some snow bridges are still up and semi supportive