My daughter and I went up to speak with two groups of middle school kids from the eastern seaboard about the trees and animal life in the area. We hiked thru to Polar in a thunderstorm and received a warm welcome. The trails are well marked and the route we chose up to the hut well travelled. These are not the " huts" one thinks about on trails such as the AT.
The accommodations are wonderful, the food is local and well prepared in fact there is always more to eat after you are full! That night desert was blueberry cobbler and was a treat after our hike in. The Bar B Q chicken and the vegetables , all nicely done by the staff. I had a nice chat with the lead " cook" about the menu, where they get the recipes, and how the staff likes being up there. everyone is personable!
The showers are very good, one can dial up a six minute shower with one of the coins available. I like it hot and it was. The bunks are comfortable, however, be warned, bring a sheet and pillow case, plastic mattress sweat in summer and winter as well if you turn up the heat. Take the tour of the downstairs waste facilities and learn about how ingenuous the heating, water and waste operations are....
Last winter I took my middle school XC ski team in to another hut. The kids LOVED the two days we were there. Trails are well maintained. Food was great , more than enough, kids ate like kids do and more so. The staff treated them very well. There are board games for them and one of my kids found a guitar and amazed all the adults staying there from Quebec with his playing skills . The trails by the way, are WELL GROOMED!
Night winter hikes were incredible, we had the kids calling in to the owls and having those barred owls come to visit us up close and personal!
Teachers and coaches, bring your students up to Maine Huts and Trails for an educational and fun overnighter!
There is NO better way for folks from away to adventure in Maine in this area of the Bigelow range . Where can one hike, ski, fish ( yes there is brook trout in the streams and brooks) and relax and be cared for by top notch people and feast on good local food and if the occasion arises, drink local beer and good wine.
As a registered Maine guide and professional forester , and one who teaches , coaches, high school and middle school children, Maine Huts and Trails offers the out of state adventurer an excellent hospitable visit to our incredible Maine outside world in all seasons , as well as a prime place to take nature deficient youth on a learning adventure.
I urge anyone to join and support the efforts by the staff and volunteers by joining as an individual or family membership.
