LONGFELLOW MOUNTAIN [MAINE] SERIES: The Bigelow Range July 2, 2011, 8 a.m. Fire Warden Trailhead, Stratton Brook Pond Road, Stratton, ME
		Julie Moran, Organizer
CONTACT ME WITH YOUR QUESTIONS: jmmoran @ nycap.rr.com, Mobile 518-281-5882 ... PLEASE -- NO CALLS UNTIL THE DAY OF THE TRIP. Please feel free to email me your thoughts about this trip ... you can send SMS messages to me as well. Be sure to review all information below prior to your attendance.
Challenge Stats:	About 12.7 miles, 3,550 vertical feet of climb; at 1.5 miles / hour, this is about an 8.5-hour hike.	A picture of Mike and Flagstaff Lake, from the summit of Bigelow Mountain (all my hikes are dog-friendly!).
Click Below To RSVP!
Here's the Plan:	We'll meet Friday afternoon July 1 at the New Paltz park and Ride off Exit 18 of the NYS Thruway and drive to the Maine Roadhouse north of Rangeley ME. We'll leave for the trailhead July 2, at 7:30 a.m. and return the same day -- see the Trip Planner (link) below for route trail segments, mileages, elevation changes, trail names and blaze colors. The Maine Roadhouse is a large hostel that has five private rooms and a large, open bunkroom with bunks for 17. Amenities include Satellite TV, laundry facilities and a large communal kitchen. Saturday evening we'll drive to our car spot location west of Kingfield, ME This trip is part of a 3-4 day hiking trip to the Longfellow Mountains in the Rangeley-Stratton region of north-central Maine (see adjacent calendar posts for further information). Please check back to this page for updates. You can RSVP here for this hike, but if you are going please be sure to RSVP to the Meetup site for Friday July 1.
Essentials To Bring:	Flash light / head lamp, food / snacks / at least three bottles of water, first aid items, bug spray, sun screen, cell phone, camera. Prepare for a sudden rain storm. Click the images below for gear descriptions and price / rental information from a retailer serving the Hudson Valley region.
Be prepared for a sudden cloudburst -- bring a good rain jacket -- hypothermia can happen even in summer days when the temperature drops at high elevations, especially after a rainstorm.	It's bug season! Don't forget repellant and also sunscreen ...and don't forget the repellent needs of your dog too.		Trekking poles harness extra upper body strength when climbing, stability and extra safety for ankles and knees when descending.
Do your research! Click the links below ...		A grey jay swoops in for a piece of granola, Bigelow Col Camping Area between West Peak and Avery Peak.
LINK:	Mainelyhiking.com	Trip Planner -- Click the red " Horns-West Peak-Avery Loop(FWT) " tab at the bottom of the chart
LINK:	Wikipedia	Map #1: Bigelow Range Hike Route
LINK:	SummitPost	Map #2: n / a
LINK:	People.Maine.com	Map #3: n / a
LINK:	ALavigne.net	Map #4: n / a
Our disclaimers (please take this seriously) ... NOTE: You are responsible for bringing appropriate gear, supplies, clothing, first aid and lights. You should review topographic maps and trail features carefully; understanding topography of any challenge hike is key to your knowing where you are, where you're going and how to get back. WEATHER AND OTHER SUDDEN EVENTS CAN CAUSE SUDDEN CHANGES TO OR CANCELLATION OF THIS EVENT. YOU MUSTCHECK BACK TO THE MEETUP.COM SITE OFTEN FOR UPDATES. See suggestions for GEAR at the HVH "About" page for additional gear ideas. You agree when you sign up for this group or any of the events that you have read and understand ... 1. If you join us for a hike (or any other event), please understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. You are responsible to research the event, know the area, and bring the proper gear. 2. Your attendance on a hike signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. Full waiver can be found on the ABOUT page.