Thanks to a referendum that the state rallied behind 20 years ago, Bigelow Mount

Andrew Vietze

Source

Down East

Date

10-1-1996

Pages

44-47

Abstract

Thanks to a referendum that the state rallied behind 20 years ago, Bigelow Mountain, rising above Flagstaff Lake near Carabassett Valley, has become the showpiece of Maine's public lands. The preserve consists of 40,000 acres, with 21 miles of lake frontage and six peaks of over 3,000 feet. In the mid-sixties, the Flagstaff Corporation wanted to build the "Aspen of the East"--a ski resort, alpine village and air strip--on and around the mountain. Lance Tapley, now 51, organized opposition to the plan and formed the Friends of Bigelow, which helped win a referendum contest by 4,000 votes. The number of hikers using the Appalachian Trail corridor on the mountain was up 25 percent over the previous year. The view from the top of Bigelow has been called the best in Maine, save Katahdin.

Subjects

Bigelow Mountain, Public lands

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