KINGFIELD, Maine - New this summer, hikers will be able to access the Bigelow Preserve directly from the Stratton Brook Hut at Maine Huts & Trails. Work has begun on the Bigelow Approach Trail, and it is expected to be ready for hikers after the Spring Trail Building Weekend, June 3-5, 2016.
The 1.47-mile-long Bigelow Approach Trail will traverse down into the preserve directly from Stratton Brook Hut, meeting up with the Esker Trail. Hikers will then have the opportunity to hike several trails in the Bigelow Preserve, including a section of the Appalachian Trail.
The Bigelow Preserve, located in western Maine, includes more than 36,000 acres of public land comprising the entire Bigelow Range consisting of seven summits. The highest peak, West Peak, at 4,150 feet is one of only ten summits in Maine with an elevation over 4,000 feet. Flagstaff Lake is to the north of the preserve.
The Maine Huts & Trails crew has already begun flagging the trail and the corridor will be cleared by June. The trail is expected to be ready for guests after the scheduled Spring Trail Building Weekend, but the crew will continue working on the trail through August to complete final tasks such as drainage.
The Spring Trail Building Weekend will take place June 3-5, 2016 to celebrate National Trails Day on June 4th. The Maine Huts & Trails crew and volunteers will work together to make the trail ready for summer traffic. In exchange for the help of volunteers, they will be able to stay at Stratton Brook Hut at no charge Friday and Saturday night and will be provided with food and tools. Volunteer work will include trail building, as well as cooking and cleaning. No experience is necessary--professional trail builders will work alongside the volunteers to do some heavy lifting and offer guidance. For more information on the Spring Trail Building Weekend, call Sue Davis at (207) 491-2509 or email sdavis@mainehuts.org
For more information on Maine Huts & Trails, visit www.MaineHuts.org.
