Date Hiked: 092907

Conditions: Dry, fallen foliage covering 70% of trail, one large blow down

Special Required Equipment: Ability to appreciate one of New England's most beautiful mountain ranges on a spectacular fall day.

Comments: We were walking by 9:50 from Stratton Pond. Packed parking lot with mostly day hikers but a few folks going in overnight. Made our way up to Horn's Pond/Fire Warden's split. Headed up Fire Warden's to Moose Falls tent site where we dropped our backpacks. Had some time to set up camp before we continued on to Bigelow Col. As mentioned here so many times and my own experience on this section of the Fire Warden's Trail, past Moose Falls is very steep. However, the steps that were put in place many, many years ago help on the streach a great deal. Got up to the Col where we took a short break, put on our wind gear and headed over to Avery Peak. Avery sumit, views all the way into Baxter. Winds pretty strong and steady at about 30 mph with gusts at about 40. After snapping a few sumit shots headed back down into the col for a bite to eat then up to West Peak. A little less wind but the same spectacular views in all directions as we had on Avery. Made our way back down to Mosse Falls for the night, one other small group a few sites down. Overnight got to about 35 degrees but clear. Made our way down to the vehicle where "Gadget" had a nice reward of cold brew on ice waiting for us for celebration of a spectacular few days in the Bigelow Preserve!!! Thanks to Dave (Gadget) for an awesome few days, many, many laughs!!!!!

Submitted by: Redwood