Region
Highlights
- Avery Peak is a subpeak of Bigelow Mountain, a long mountain ridge with several summits; the highest is West Peak at 4,145 ft.
- The best views of the ridge are considered to be from Avery Peak.
- The Appalachian Trail traverses Bigelow Mountain.
- Much of the mountain and surrounding area is part of the 10,540-acre Bigelow Preserve, created in 1976 in response to a massive proposed ski resort.
- The Appalachian Mountain Club considers both the West Peak and Avery Peak of Bigelow to be 4000-footers because Avery Peak rises more than 200 ft above the col that adjoins it to the higher West Peak.
Routes
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16 summits • 10.0 mi • 3,153 ft gain • 6 hr 21 min
Latest summits
"Drove up to Maine from NH in the morning. Got to trailhead at around 11:45am. Hiked up the fire wardens trail to Col between peaks. Hiked up to Avery peak first and sat to enjoy the views, then headed back to Col. Onward to West peak and more nice views from there and on to South Horn. From the Horn hiked down to Horn pond lean-tos, refilled water and then hiked Horn pond trail back to Fire Wardens trail. Made camp along the pond headed out toward trailhead for the night." — blackwolf_03278 • Jun 15, 2018
"This was a great hike! Porter was a beast on this one. It was definitely a workout once we got to the junction with the AT. The views were spectacular in all directions. Knees hurt for a few days after this one owing to my having left my trekking poles behind. " — ne4kclimber • May 27, 2018
"After West Peak, we went over to Avery Peak. The trail was now broken out. We darted up Avery Peak. We then had to come off the summit into the wind. So we darted out of there. Had a bit of frostbite on the nose. I was told it was white. We then went down the Fire Warden's Tr and made the long walk back to the cars. It felt great to gain some winter 4000ers in Maine. " — newenglandwarrior • Dec 30, 2017
"Great hike. Climbed the tough Firewarden's Trail to Avery Col campground. Dropped our gear and set up camp, then hiked without packs to the summit of Avery. Beautiful open summit with 360 degree views. It was cloudy, but still spectacular." — mikewilliamsjr • Sep 30, 2017
"The Bigelow Range is a really great hike. Cool weather was good as this summit really takes it out of you. Just wished for a little more sun at the top. But the views from both peaks are incredible. Wide sweeping views in all directions, especially north to see the entire Flagstaff Lake. Sugarloaf Ski Area to the south." — Alohabuffy • Aug 9, 2017
"NoBo AT Thru Hike 2016.
The hike over to Avery was short and a little bit rocky. Tom joined me on the walk over. We split at the top and he took the Fire Wardens Trail down to his car to drive around and pick me up and I continued down the AT. " — Kim-Stilson • Sep 19, 2016
"Great hike up bagging this 1st. 20% chance of showers was an understatement. Temperature dropped 25 degrees in an hour with winds at 45 mph. We were glad it was over quickly. " — vincentaceto • Jul 16, 2016
"Came up to Carrabassett Valley for a couple days to grab some 4k's and enjoy the late fall weather in Maine. Did the Bigelow ridge from off Stratton Brook Pond rd. Windy and chilly above treeline if you weren't dressed proper. with windchill it was in the low teens. socked in with clouds which was a bummer mostly because the Bigelows summits are above treeline. Trail conditions were prime, mainly because the trail I took was the AT. great hike! 12.7 mile loop that passes 3 campground areas some have lean-tos, and no fees. this would be a great over nighter especially in the summer. I'm sure this trail is busy in the summer though due to all the thru-hikers. but no worse traffic than hiking in the Whites!" — chrisr00d • Oct 22, 2012
"I was leading a wilderness trip for a camp I was working for canoeing Flagstaff Lake. Upon camping in the last campsite I posed the idea to sunrise hike Avery the following morning. I got all the kids up at 1 in the morning (all were willing participants) and we started hiking. I guess in the quiet excitement of the morning only half of us remembered to grab headlamps, or even had them in the first place, which made for some slow going. We ended up making it to the top with only minor scrapes and bruises, just in time for the sunrise." — katenogz • Jul 15, 2011
"This is a great hike to take if you think you want to hike Mt Katahdin. It was a nice hike with a lot of altitude to be gained. The views from the peak can't be beat. The fire tower was still standing in 2010 but has since been burned leaving just it's stone base. The peak was very windy and the tower was the only thing to break the wind.
Happy Trails" — bwright • Jul 24, 2010
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log successful summits on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.