“This project is an all-around winner.  It provides an experience of Maine’s beauty in relative comfort to a range of people from all over who might not otherwise get this chance.  It demonstrates the compatibility of public access with open space and wildlife protection.  It provides jobs and economic opportunity for the people of rural Maine. Finally, it shows that you can build green and beautiful, both at once.”

Richard Rockefeller, 2-Time Leadership Donor

Dear Members and Supporters,

Like thousands of other visitors, I hope you’ve had the opportunity over the past three years to enjoy the trails that Maine Huts & Trails has created in Western Maine for year-round recreation. Perhaps you’ve skied into one of our three flagship backcountry huts, or ventured further by skiing hut-to-hut. You may have explored our trails on mountain bike or enjoyed the tremendous views while strolling along the Shore Trail. You may be a birder who has lingered on our spur trails and been rewarded by both bird song and patches of wild blueberries. Perhaps you’re a casual trail user who has enjoyed trips to the huts for lunch or are one of our avid users who has explored our system almost as fast as it is expanding.

Whatever your trail experience, Maine Huts & Trails continually strives to provide you with the best possible trail resource. Our trail system has grown at an astonishing rate: from 8 miles in 2008 to 35 miles in 2010 and now, we’re on the cusp of opening 15 new miles of trails by this winter. This will bring the total trail mileage to 50. Not surprisingly, the number of trail users has increased at a comparable pace: we anticipate more than 8,000 people will use our trails over the next year.

We remain committed to offering this year-round access to our trails for free as a public resource. We also want to continue to improve existing trails, build new trails, and ensure that all trails are well-signed, well maintained and well groomed. How do we accomplish this? Through the very generous support of people like you. Maintaining and improving this resource costs money. We need your help to support our trails. This is the only appeal Maine Huts & Trails will be sending you this year and it’s your best opportunity to support our work for the benefit of all trail users.

We will spend upwards of $85,000 on our trails over the next year. Our goal is to raise this money from people like you entirely through this annual appeal. Please contribute to our Fall Trails Appeal today.  You can give online using our safe, secure service, or you can download our donation form and mail it along with your check to Maine Huts & Trails, 375 Main St., Kingfield, ME 04947.  You’ll also be able to track our progress here.

Here are some examples of ways your gift will have an impact.

Thank you for supporting Maine Huts & Trails. And thank you for helping to create and sustain a tremendous recreational resource for current and future generations. Please feel free to call anytime (207-265-2400) to share your thoughts and learn more about our plans. I look forward to spending time with you on the trail and in the huts in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

David Herring, Executive Director