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July 6, 2003 (Tim & Danielle - Total Distance: 12 miles)
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Danielle and I continued our quest for the New England 4,000 footers with a backpacking trip to Maine. This trip brought us over two 4,000 foot peaks and one on the 100 highest list. The trail to Avery Peak began by following the shore of Stratton pond and was easy for the first 1.5 miles. However, the bugs were ferocious which forced us to use lots of bug spray until we got deeper into the woods. Eventually we came to the Horn Pond trail which we would use the next day to get back to the car, but for today we decided to take a quick break before proceeding onwards. Once we got underway again the trail became steeper and steeper. Eventually the trail got so steep that rock steps were constructed to help hikers get up the mountain. The trail crew that built this trail did a great job. |
 Fire tower on Avery Peak Click on image for larger view |
 Avery Peak tent site Click on image for larger view |
After many hours of hiking we finally made it to the ridge and dropped our packs on one of the platforms at the Avery tent site. We then followed the Appalachian trail .4 miles to the summit of Avery Peak. The views on top were awesome! We could see all of Flagastaff lake, Sugarloaf mountain, the Crockers and West Bigelow peak. We spent quite some time up top taking it all in and exploring around the old fire tower. Nearby was a large boulder with a plaque imbedded in it honoring Myron Avery. We had the summit to ourselves and spent quite a bit of time up there taking pictures of alpine plants, checking out the fire tower, and just enjoying the the view. Eventually we headed back to our tent site and set up our camp. |
On the next morning we had some visitors join us for breakfast. Three gray jays kept flying around us looking for a hand out and one of them was bold enough to eat out of our hands! After packing up we headed up to West Bigelow and over the Horns to complete our loop back to the car. |
 Danielle and a gray jay Click on image for larger view |
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