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Horns Pond



Horns Pond - This site is part of the 36,000-acre Bigelow Preserve, located in Stratton, Maine. The most popular sites in the Bigelow preserve are two fragile, high elevation zones: Horns Pond and Avery Col.

The Bigelow range is a close second to Katahdin for ridge walking, much of it is above tree line and extremely difficult. Peaks in the alpine zone include Avery Peak (4,088') and West Peak (4,150'). Hikers camp at Horns Pond on their way up to the South Horns and West Peak, then over to Avery Peak.

The total number of trail users recorded by our caretaker in 2004 was 2,332, including 623 day hikers (an increase of 35% since 1980), 421 overnight campers, 765 in organized groups, and 523 thru-hikers.

Horns Pond is the MATC’s heaviest used site for overnight campers, attracting approximately 3,000 – 4,000 backpackers each season. Many youth groups flock to Horns Pond. This camp site can handle fifty people at a maximum, and has seen that many on the busiest weekends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Lemberg
2011 Horns Pond Caretaker/Ridge Runner

I learned to paddle a canoe at the same time I learned to tie my shoes at my grandparent's cabin by Lake Woodruff in northern Wisconsin.  I started backpacking in the Southern Appalachian Mountains on long weekends during high school.  By the time I graduated I had hiked over 700 miles and I was hooked on hiking.  I knew then that I wanted to hike the whole Appalachian Trail someday.

After graduating from the University of Montana, Missoula, I worked seasonally with the National Park Service.  I worked in parks in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico and Alaska.  I loved working and living in the National Parks, but I still wanted to hike the AT.

That opportunity began on July 1st 2007. I summited Mt. Katahdin and started my southbound thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Six months later I arrived on Springer Mountain Georgia.  Along my way I had made great friends, enjoyed my walk and felt so good that I was hooked on long distance hiking.  Now, I’ve completed 6 of the 11 National Scenic Trails.  I've hiked the AT, PCT, CDT, Arizona Trail, Florida Trail and biked the Natchez Trace Trail.  The time I've spent on the National Scenic trails has enriched my life in many ways.  I am forever grateful for these experiences.  
 
For the past two years, I’ve worked for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as the Mount Rogers Ridgerunner.  On Mount Rogers, I gained a tremendous appreciation for the time and energy that the local trail clubs and volunteer trail crews give to sustain the Appalachian Trail. This year, I am excited to be working for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club as the Horn's Pond Caretaker. I have always wanted to experience New England in the Fall. Working at Horn's Pond will be the perfect opportunity to do that.  This Spring, before coming to Maine, I’m happy to serve as the Springer Mountain Caretaker.  I may have the privilege to meet the same hikers in both Georgia and Maine. The Appalachian Trail may end at Katahdin or Springer but it is a journey that continues with us for lifetime.
 
Jonathan Lemberg

Come visit him on the Bigelow’s this season!!

 

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Last updated - 7/10/11 12:04 PM
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Maine Appalachian Trail Club - P.O. Box 283, Augusta, ME 04332-0283