Flagstaff Hut – Basecamp Adventures

About this guide 

                                                                                                                         Flagstaff Lake with Bigelow Range in the distance

This list of activities has been created for you (our visitors) to maximize your enjoyment during your stay with us.  Summer is a fantastic time of year to visit Maine Huts & Trails and this list highlights the best of what you can do during your stay.  Our Trip Planning experts are available to help customize a trip and itinerary for you and your group.   Additionally, here is a description about each of the levels of difficulty:

Easy: all ages, no gear or equipment required, one sport activity, no guide required. If you can get to the huts, you can do these activities.

Moderate: no more challenging than getting in to the huts, but could be longer trips of up to 4 hours. Participants should be fit and active, but no advanced skills or guide required.

Challenging: a strong level of fitness and outdoor competency required.  Guides or support service available upon request.

Most Challenging: the highest level of fitness and stamina required.  These trips are no joke. Guides or support service available upon request for additional fee.

                                                                                                                                 Hikers take in the view of the Bigelow Range on Flagstaff Lake.      

Hiking

  • Enjoy a leisurely stroll down to the end of the peninsula where the hut is located.  From there, go for a swim, watch the sunset, listen to the loons and/or enjoy fantastic views of the Bigelow Range across the lake.  This is a must for all hut visitors.

Time: 30-45 minutes or more

Difficulty level: Easy


 

Discovery

  • Go birding – the Flagstaff and Dead River area are blessed with dozens of species of birds.  Use our self-guided tour and enjoy a 60-minute walk around the peninsula where we have identified several locations for you to look for birds.

Time: 60 minutes – several hours

Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

 

Swimming                                                                                            

  • Go for a swim or just hang out on the dock. Flagstaff Lake is a shallow lake with a sandy bottom.  This combination makes for a mild water temperature and great swimming throughout the summer and in to the fall.

Time: 30 minutes – several hours

Difficulty level: Easy

 

Paddling/Boating                                                                                                Paddling fun on Flagstaff Lake

  • Go for a canoe or kayak on the lake.  MH&T members enjoy free use of the canoes and kayaks while at the hut. This includes PFD’s and paddles.  Go out for an hour or several hours.  Explore the shoreline, watch for eagles and loons (but be sure to give their nesting areas a wide berth to avoid disturbing their nesting activities).

Time: 60 minutes – several hours

Difficulty level: Moderate (depending on the distance and the weather/winds)

  • Paddle to the island north of the hut towards the Dam and enjoy lunch on the island.  From the dock area, head north towards Long Falls Dam.  The island is less than a mile from the dock and has a nice open spot for a picnic lunch.  Make this an extended adventure and camp overnight on the island before returning for another night at Flagstaff.

Time: 3 hours (daytrip)                                                                                      

Difficulty level: Moderate (depending on the weather/winds)

 

Multi-Sport                                                                                                         A family enjoys a paddle along the shores of Flagstaff Lake.

  • Paddling and Hiking adventure – Paddle from the hut dock to the Round Barn site on the south shore of the lake (appr. 6 miles one way).  From there, hike the Safford Brook Trail to Safford Notch (elev. 2230’). This is a climb of almost 1000’.  If time allows, hike south/west for 2 mi. to the summit of Avery Peak (elev. 4088’). An alternative would be to hike north/east along the AT for 3.2 mi to the summit of Little Bigelow (elev. 3010’).  Return via the Safford Brook Trail and paddle back to the hut for dinner.  Participants must be experienced paddlers and maintain a high level of fitness for this trip.  Participants may also need to arrange with the hut staff for an early breakfast/late dinner to allow for the long day.

Time:  8-12 hrs

Difficulty level: Most Challenging



  • Ride and Hike adventure – ride from the hut to where the AT crosses East Flagstaff Lake and hike to the summit of Little Bigelow. Ride the Hut Tote Rd back out to Long Falls Dam Rd (or take the Maine Hut Trail south to where it intersects with Long Falls Dam Rd), take a right (south) and ride for 3+ miles and then take a right on Bog Brook Rd. and follow East Flagstaff Rd. to the left to where the Appalachian Trail crosses it (0.1 mi).  Enter on the left side of the road and enjoy a 3.5mi (one-way, 7-mile roundtrip) hike to the summit of Little Bigelow. 

Time: 8-10 hours or more – plan for an all-day adventure

Difficulty level: Most Challenging (distance and terrain)