Of Moose and Mountains- Bigalow Preserve Maine
Sometimes things work out. We were six hours into what we thought was a three and a half hour drive, not sure if we were even on the right road, and both of us thinking to ourselves that we might be spending the night pulled over somewhere along the dirt road we were traveling. We passed a low lying wetland area and I said it looked like there should be a moose out there. Nick responded that at least that would make the drive worth it. Just a few minutes later what pops out on the road- two moose! Score one! They ambled up the road a few yards before disappearing back into the forest. A few minutes later we passed a sign that we were entering the Bigalow Preserve. We were on the right road after all. Whew. And then a few minutes later a sign indicating camping was 5 miles away. From our map it appeared that the camping would be a single site about a 1/3 mile hike from the road. When we got to the Round Barn Camping Area which sits on the southern shores of the 20,000 acre Flagstaff Lake we were pleasantly surprised to find not one but nine sites all just a short walk from the parking area. Score 2! All the sites had picnic tables and fire pits and many were waterfront. One site is canoe/kayak access only on a small island just off-shore. We got a beautiful waterfront site on a small peninsula jutting into lake. There was also a sandy beach with kayak/canoe launch area, group camp site and day use area. And we were treated to a lovely sunset to finish the day. Score three! After spending the last week driving and doing a lot of sight seeing it was nice to relax on our little peninsula (when the bugs would let us). We liked it so much we stayed three days.
Sunset from our campsite on Flagstaff Lake
What a view!
The Bigalow Preserve , a 40,000 acre preserve, is located in western Maine, just east of the village of Stratton and encompasses the Bigalow Range which includes seven summits. Amazingly, Flagstaff Lake has little private development along its shores. Apparently the Bigalow Preserve is the result of an early victory for land preservation in the 1970s when plans for a ski development envisioned as the ‘Aspen of the East’ fell through after voters of Maine opted for the State to purchase much of the acreage to set aside the preserve. With no development in sight from our campsite it was hard to imagine what might have been.
Our site also had a view of Bigalow Mountain and a hike was hard to resist. With easy trail-head access to the Safford Brook Trail located right across from the Round Barn Camping Area, we hiked to Avery Peak, one of the peaks of Bigalow Mountain and one the ten mountains in Maine over 4,000 ft hitting right at 4,088 ft. The hike was 8.2 miles round-trip and ascended along Safford Brook until meeting the ridge and the Appalachian Trail which continued along the ridge line to the summit of Avery Peak. The ridgeline has been called the last challenging climb for north-bound Applachian Trail through-hikers before Mount Katahdin, 180 miles to the north and the terminus of the trail. Most of the climb occurred in the last two miles or so of the hike. The trails are well marked and in great shape being maintained by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. We later learned that the Bigalows have been called one of the best views in Maine, and we would believe it. Despite some heavy fog cover we still got spectacular views over Flagstaff Lake from the summit.
Beautiful foggy start to the day along the Safford Brook Trail
First view of the day as the fog lifted
Koda always leading the way
Views of Flagstaff Lake were spectacular
Summit break!
A little windy on top too
Nearing Avery Peak with West Peak in the background
What a great hike!
Info:
Entrance Fees: Bigalow Preserve Public Reserved Lands have free entry.
Camping: Round Barn Camping Area (Free- first come first served). There are also backcountry sites 0.3 miles past the junction of the Safford Brook and Appalachian Trails and at the col between Avery and West Peaks.
Pets: Pet friendly. Avery Peak from Safford Brook Trail should be fine for dogs with some mountain hiking experience. There were no spots where Koda needed help.
Tips: Round Barn is quite a drive from shops and amenities. If you’re planning on staying a few nights bring all the necessities with you. No water on site so bring your supply or a filter or prepare to boil from the Lake.
