Bigelow Preserve

Carrabassett, Maine

USGS maps 7.5': Stratton; The Horns; Little Bigelow Mountain; Black Nubble; Sugarloaf Mountain; Poplar Mountain

Contact:: Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
Western Region Office: (207) 778-4111; http://www.state.me.us/doc/parks.htm; Sugarloaf Area Chamber of Commerce
RR 1 Box 2151
Kingfield, ME 04947
(207) 235-2500; Maine Appalachian Trail Club
Box 283
Augusta, Maine 04330
http://www.matc.org

References: Chunn, Cloe Fifty Hikes in Northern Maine, Woodstock, Vermont: Backcountry Publications, 1989.; Bates, Elliot Maine Mountain Guide, Boston, Massachusetts: Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 1999.

Description: Bigelow Preserve encompasses 35,000 acres including the entire Bigelow Mountain Range and nearly 20 miles of the southern shore of Flagstaff Lake. It was established by popular referendum in 1976. Visitors enjoy hiking along the Appalachian Trail and other trails as well as fishing, swimming, and camping. Winter visitors enjoy snowmobiling and cross country skiing.; There are 30 miles of trails in the preserve, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and four side trails. Above the treeline, there are views far out into Western Maine and into Northern New Hampshire. Visibility is likely to be best in the cool, crisp Fall or Winter months. Fall hiking may also have the added bonus of trees in Fall color.; Camping on the Bigelow Ridge is located at Horns Pond, Avery memorial lean-to, the Safford Notch campsite and Little Bigelow lean-to. There is also tenting available at teh Round Barn campsite on the shore of Flagstaff Lake.

Mountains: The Bigelow preserve encompasses the Bigelow Range, which is comprised of the following peaks:; Cranberry Peak (3213ft.); The Horns, North (3810ft.) and South (3831ft.); West Peak (4150 ft.); Avery Peak (4088ft.); Little Bigelow (3040ft.)