Maine Huts and Trails
Encyclopedia
Maine Huts and Trails is a non-profit public service organization that aims to create a 180-mile network of cross-country ski trail stretching between the Mahoosuc Range in western Maine
to Moosehead Lake
, the state's largest water body.
, and it will terminate in Rockwood
, on the western shore of Moosehead. Along the way, up to 12 wilderness huts will be constructed, each sleeping up to 45 skiers. The distance between huts will average 14 miles.
The proposed route very roughly parallels the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, but generally follows river valleys and utilizes many long-abandoned logging roads that criss-cross the region.
The organization has raised approximately $4.5 million to date and opened its first hut, at Poplar Stream Falls in Carrabassett Valley, on Feb. 16, 2008. It features several heated bunkhouses, which accommodate between four and 12 people apiece, plus a central lodge with kitchen, rest rooms, dining room and common area. Breakfast and dinner are served to guests.
Most of the trails between Carrabassett Valley and The Forks have been cut and are skiable, but several key bridges remain to be built.
Two additional huts are scheduled for construction in 2008; a total of three should be open to the public for the winter of 2008-2009.
Much of the land for this project -- including Poplar Stream Falls Hut site -- is leased from the Penobscot Indian Nation.
Maine Huts and Trails founder and president is Larry Warren of Carrabassett Valley, who first envisioned the trail network in 1974 and borrowed the huts concept from the Appalachian Mountain Club
. In terms of architecture, the hut designs reflect traditional Maine sporting camps.
Promoting winter tourism in the region is one of Warren's stated goals. He was formerly involved in developing Sugarloaf into the state's second busiest ski resort
, and he envisions Maine Huts and Trails fitting into the official ecotourism
campaign.
Executive director is Dave Herring, who formerly ran the White Mountain hut system for the Appalachian Mountain Club. Maine Huts and Trails' headquarters is located at 375 Main Street in Kingfield
.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
to Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine and the largest mountain lake in the eastern United States. Situated in the Longfellow Mountains in the Maine Highlands Region, the lake is the source of the Kennebec River. Towns that border the lake include Greenville to the south and...
, the state's largest water body.
Overview
According to plans, the southern gateway will be near BethelBethel, Maine
Bethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel...
, and it will terminate in Rockwood
Rockwood, Maine
Rockwood is a village in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The village is centered on the west end of Moosehead Lake, the largest body of fresh water in the state...
, on the western shore of Moosehead. Along the way, up to 12 wilderness huts will be constructed, each sleeping up to 45 skiers. The distance between huts will average 14 miles.
The organization has raised approximately $4.5 million to date and opened its first hut, at Poplar Stream Falls in Carrabassett Valley, on Feb. 16, 2008. It features several heated bunkhouses, which accommodate between four and 12 people apiece, plus a central lodge with kitchen, rest rooms, dining room and common area. Breakfast and dinner are served to guests.
Most of the trails between Carrabassett Valley and The Forks have been cut and are skiable, but several key bridges remain to be built.
Two additional huts are scheduled for construction in 2008; a total of three should be open to the public for the winter of 2008-2009.
Much of the land for this project -- including Poplar Stream Falls Hut site -- is leased from the Penobscot Indian Nation.
Maine Huts and Trails founder and president is Larry Warren of Carrabassett Valley, who first envisioned the trail network in 1974 and borrowed the huts concept from the Appalachian Mountain Club
Appalachian Mountain Club
The Appalachian Mountain Club is one of the United States' oldest outdoor groups. Created in 1876 to explore and preserve the White Mountains in New Hampshire, it has expanded throughout the northeastern U.S., with 12 chapters stretching from Maine to Washington, D.C...
. In terms of architecture, the hut designs reflect traditional Maine sporting camps.
Promoting winter tourism in the region is one of Warren's stated goals. He was formerly involved in developing Sugarloaf into the state's second busiest ski resort
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
, and he envisions Maine Huts and Trails fitting into the official ecotourism
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
campaign.
Executive director is Dave Herring, who formerly ran the White Mountain hut system for the Appalachian Mountain Club. Maine Huts and Trails' headquarters is located at 375 Main Street in Kingfield
Kingfield, Maine
Kingfield is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 997 at the 2010 census. Kingfield is the principal gateway to Sugarloaf, a major ski resort, and is headquarters to Maine Huts and Trails.-History:...
.