Little Bigelow Hike January 2010

The AMC - Maine Chapter has developed a beginner winter hiking series for the 2009-2010 winter hiking season. A hike in this series on January 23,

2010, the 3.5-mile hike to the top of Little Bigelow, was led by Kit Pfeiffer (l.) and Laura Flight (r.), assisted by Wayne Newton and Jason Toner.

People gathered early in North New Portland to consolidate cars due to the limited parking at the East Flagstaff Road trailhead located in the BPL's Bigelow Preserve. Temperatures at 8:15 AM were in the single digits and once 'geared up' people were eager to start moving southbound on the Appalachian Trail to stay warm.

Although the trail was packed, there was about

15 inches of fresh snow on top, which made breaking trail a strenuous exercise. Somehow I always found myself near the rear of my fellow twenty hikers and a nice smooth trail on which to walk.

After about 1/2-mile of going up hill, we found the air

temperature increasing with elevation --- odd; which necessitated

taking off some layers.

Finally a rest & snack break at the Little Bigelow shelter.

The last two miles of the walk were through frequent glades which afforded views towards the east.

Stewart Mountain

Once at the top of Little Bigelow (3,040'), the sweeping views of the south & west came into sight.

Avery and West Peaks provided a stunning backdrop for photos of Laura Flight and Sarah & Matt Toner.

Panorama towards the East with Stewart Mountain in the Foreground.

It was a very clear day. After considerable discussion, it was concluded that the Whitecaps on the left and Katahdin on the right were visible in the distant horizon.

On the return walk back down, there were many full and partial views of Stewart Mountain. Some hikers mentioned the recently announced project by Independence Wind to erect 48 wind turbines (Highland Wind Project) on the mountains and ridges just to the east -- many of these 400-foot tall towers would be visible from Little Bigelow.

Matt Coello, Kit Pfeiffer and Tony Barrett looking out from various viewpoints towards Stewart Mountain along the Appalachian Trail northbound.

The Highland Wind project proposes 16 wind towers along the top of Stewart Mountain which will stand out in stark contrast to the sky.

These proposed wind turbines on Stewart Mountain are to be located about 3 miles away from the trail and would be the dominate feature seen when walking down from Little Bigelow.

The group arrived back at the trailhead before the 2:30 PM estimated arrival. What a great day for a winter hike.

All that was left was a channel through the snow marking the passage of the visitors to Little Bigelow.

Kit walking sweep down the trail.

Messalonskee Stream Trail, Oakland, ME

The trailhead parking off SR 137 is difficult to spot coming in from Waterville. I parked at the Oakland town offices, which are located on the West side of the stream.

I visited the historic plaque marking CMP’s first hydroelectric power station and the origins of the company founded by Walter Wyman in 1899.

Penstocks and hydro plant seen here from the bridge above the dam.

I walked along the penstocks leading to the old (National Historic Register) & currently used hydro generation building. I walked down past the former Cascade Woolen Mill buildings before I realized that the trailhead must be on the East Side of the stream.

I crossed the bridge to the trail parking and

onto the trail with an informative kiosk with aerial photo map. The kiosk said that the trail was 2.5 miles to Rice Rips road. The K-M website lists the trail at 3 miles. After walking it, I agree with the 2.5 miles.

After going through a doorway in the fence, I entered the mature Hemlock forest of the Messalonskee Stream valley.

The mature trees and wide trail reminded me of walking trails in Europe. The red on white blaze also reminded me of European blazes[the blazes changed color later along the trail to blue on white and I am not sure why.]

IS THE TRAIL WIDENING TOO MUCH?

The first mile of trail involves a lot of sidehilling – apparently done by the MCC crew in 2006. On high traffic trails, there is a tendency for the compacted treadway to ‘drift downhill’ along sidehills. Walkers, when given the choice, will take the easiest route, which is often the downhill side. The outer edge of the sidehill bench is not as stable as the part nearest the hill and so hiker feet move the soil slightly downhill which widens the trail. Trail width was 6-8’ in places.

There are few understory plants. So the woods ‘look’ wide open. In denser woods, the dense trees and bushes keep the treadway pretty narrow – in fact, the trail corridor often has to be cut back to maintain a desired 3-4 foot clearance. Ways to keep the trail from drifting downhill or ‘widening’ are to encourage hikers through the use of stone and trees, to stay on the uphill side. When large diameter ‘blowdowns’ occur, only cut a narrow passage to better define the desired treadway. Overall, though I thought that the trail was in good shape given the high use.

WHY IS THERE A ‘SIDE TRAIL’ ALONG SIDE THE BOG- BRIDGING?

I presume that the bog-bridges or puncheon were installed to protect the boggy area and plants (from widening mud holes) rather than to keep hikers feet dry. However, if the ground is dry and given the choice, hikers will stay on a nice path rather than step up onto the bog-bridges.

You could install small signs to encourage bridge use to protect the fragile plants or make the social sidepath look uninviting with brush or obstacles (or do both).

Once out on the powerline, the hiking trail joins the ATV trail. New visitors, like me, could use some ‘reassurance’ that we were still on the trail. There were only a couple of signs and no blazes along this section.

The wooden penstocks with their patches and leaks are quite interesting. This is a large wooden pipe and quite old. It is impressive how it still works under all this pressure. I tried putting my finger to block one of the many water squirts (like the little Dutch boy and the dike) and found that the effort just sprayed water all over me.

Again with no blazes or signs, there was no indication that a trail went any further to the East past Rice Rips road. This fishermen’s parking lot gave no indication that there was a trail across the street. The sign says “Anglers Parking” and no mention of trail parking.

After completing the 5-mile round trip walk, I crossed the bridge back to my car by the town offices past bagpipers practicing in the park.

The wafting music in the valley made the trail experience seem even more European.