The Bigelow Range
Bigelow Range, located in Stratton Maine, is a state owned preserved 33,000 acres, due to citizens who wanted to save this area from resort development.
The Bigelow Range , is a close second to Katahdin in hiking and great ridge walking. The most challenged peaks are Avery Peak (4088`) and West Peak (4150`). These two pinacles or (horns) are equal except for Avery Peak being a bit lower. The Bigelow Mountain Preserve, was established by the people of Maine in June 1976 referendum. The 33,000 acre preserve is governed by the Maine Department of Conservation and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
From Avery Peak the views are outstanding overlooking our fourth largest body of water and man made reservoir, Flagstaff Lake.

The Fire Wardens Trail:
is the shortest aproach to the main peaks. Look for a dirt road,Stratton Brook Rd. running east from ME27 about 3.2 miles northwest of Surgarloaf Ski Area access road on your right or 4.5 miles southeast of Stratton. Head in here cross the Appalachian Trail at 1 mile and continue straight turning left at 1.6 mil to a logging yarding area. Just as easy to park here because the road beyond the logging area can be very rough.The bridge over Stratton Brook is washed out and if theres been alot of rain you may get your feet wet so bring extra socks just in case.
After crossing the brook continue on the road until 0.2 you will reach a fork,go left. From this point the trail is fairly level for about .05 mile. Soon it will climb steeply then again level off for the next 1.5 miles.At the 1.6 mil point from the parking area The Horns Pond Trail leaves left. At this point I was beginning to wonder where the challenge was, well I was not disapointed. About 3 miles into the hike the trail becomes increasingly steep, gaining nearly 1700` in the next 1.5 miles as it climbs to the Bigelow col. where it meets the Appalachian trail at 3.5 miles.From the col go right on the Appalachian trail 0.4 mile to reach Avery Peak,or go left on the Appalachian trail .04 to reach West Peak.The views are outstanding, so don`t forget you camera.

Distance from Stratton Brook to:
Horns Pond Junction Trail:1.6mil
to, Bigelow Col and Appalachian Trail junction: 3.5 mil 3hr. 40min.
to, Avery Peak 3.9 mil 4 hr
to, West Peak 3.9 mil 4hr.

Horns Pond Trail
is longer, not as steep and more interesting leading to Horn Pond,connecting to the Appalachian Trail, following the ridge between the Horns, over South Horn and West Peak then on to Avery Peak.The Horns Pond Trail continues from where it leaves the Fire Wardens Trail 1.6 mil from Stratton Brook. 3 miles into the hike you will start climbing slowly around a boggy area with a view of South Horn Continuing to get steeper.At 4.1 mil the trail will connect to the white blazed Appalachian Trail, take a right for 0.2 mi to the two Horns Pond lean-tos,(each will hold six people.) A 50yard blue blazed trail behind the east lean-to leads to the Horns Pond.
Distance from Stratton Brook :
from the Fire Wardens Trail:1.6 mil
to Appalachian Trail 4.1 mil
to Horns Pond lean-tos 4.3 mil 3hr.

The Appalachian Trail
runs from Me.27 to the ridge west of the Horns Pond. These trails approach from the south (ME16/27).
To find the trailhead, ME 27 2.6 mil northwest from the Surgarloaf access road.
Distances from ME27:
to Stratton Brook Road : 0.9mil
to Stratton Brook: 1 mil
to Bigelow Range Trail junction:3.4 mil
to Horns Pond Trail junction:5.1 mil
to Horn Pond lean-tos 5.3 mil 3hr 40 min.
to south Horn summit 5.9 mil
to West Peak summit 8 mil
to Fire Warden`s Trail junction: 8.4 mil 5hr. 55 min.
to Avery Peak: 8.8 mil 6hr 15min.

The Bigelow Range Trail
is longer and travels from Stratton east to the Appalachian Traileast of Cranberry Pond, involves more up and down ridge travel and extends the full length of the range.
Distances from ME27
to clearing: 0.5 mil
to first ledges: 1.9 milto Cranberry Peak: 3.2 mil.,2hr. 40min.
to Appalachian Trail junction: 4.9 mil. 3hr. 50min.

The Safford Brook Trail
is found along a road that runs along the southern shore of Flagstaff Lake from the Long Falls Dam Rd. Located on the east side of the south shore of Flagstaff lake,a good landmark would be a large sawdust pile found near the lake shore.
Distances from Round Barn Field
to East Flagstaff Rd. : 0.3 mil.
to Appalachian Trail junction from the Safford Brook trail, 2.6 mil
to Little Bigelow summit from the Appalachian trail east 6.3 mil. 4hr.
to Avery Peak from Appalachian Trail West 4.5 mil 3hr. 45min.