About this guide                                                                            

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.

 

 

Hiking

• Visit Poplar Stream Falls – take a leisurely stroll (1 hr round trip) to check out the beautiful Poplar Stream Falls.  Take a dip in the pools beneath the falls (but be careful because the rocks can be slippery).

Time: 60 minutes round trip

Difficulty level: Easy

•  Take a walk to the hourglass ponds to looks for moose, birds and other wildlife.  The ponds are about 1.5 mi from the hut along the Maine Hut Trail towards Flagstaff Lake Hut.  You’ll know you’re there when: you see the ponds AND the 70’ bridge we built to cross the intersection between the ponds.

Time: 2+ hours round trip

Difficulty level: Easy

• Enjoy a beautiful hike along Poplar Stream – hike past the falls and continue along Larry’s Loop Trail.  This is a fantastic 5mi loop that takes you along the scenic and wild Poplar Stream.  This is a great day excursion when staying at Poplar for two nights or it can be used as an alternative to the Maine Hut Trail when visiting Poplar Stream Falls Hut.

Time: 2-4 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate

 

 

Mountain Biking                                                                                                       

• Ride along the Maine Hut Trail past the hourglass ponds to the southeast corner of the Bigelow Preserve. From there, you can ride to the end of Bog Brook Rd. (gravel) and take a refreshing dip in Flagstaff Lake. Return via Carriage (gravel) Rd.  Use caution along this section because it is narrow with minimal sight lines for (occasional) oncoming vehicles. You may need to walk your bike for a few sections of the trail between the hut and the ponds due to rocks/mud.

Time: 2-4 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate to Challenging (distance and terrain – the trail sections are more challenging than riding on a dirt road)

• Ride along dirt roads to see Huston Brook Falls.  This is a great half-day or more excursion from Poplar.  Ride out the Hut Tote Rd. to Carriage Rd (or ride down the Maine Hut Trail – watch your speed!) to the Poplar Stream Footbridge.  From there, continue on the Maine Hut Trail until it hits Huston Brook Rd (gravel).  Take a right on Huston Brook Rd and ride for appr. 2 miles.  Shortly before a large clearing on your right, you’ll see a footpath on your left.  Take this trail a short distance to the falls.  Return using the same route. DUE TO THE WET SPRING, THIS ITINERARY IS NOT RECOMMENDED UNTIL AFTER JULY 1.

Time: 4-5 hours or more

Difficulty: Moderate (distance)

 

 

Multi-Sport

• Ride and Hike to Little Bigelow – Ride the Hut Tote Rd out to Carriage Rd. and take a right OR ride along the Maine Hut Trail to where it intersects with the eastern end of Carriage Rd.  Take a right and ride to the top of the hill. Take a left on Bog Brook Rd. and follow East Flagstaff Rd to where the Appalachian Trail crosses it (0.1mi.).  Enter on the left side of the road and enjoy a 3.5mi (one-way, 7mi roundtrip) hike to the summit of Little Bigelow.  From there, enjoy views out across Flagstaff Lake and beyond.  Return via same route.

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

Difficulty level: Most Challenging (distance and terrain)

 

 

Fishing                                                                                                        

• Bring your pack rod and stroll down the work road behind the bunk houses until you reach Poplar Stream to your right(about 15 minutes). Fish the Poplar Stream for native brook trout. The fish are small but there are lots of them and the action can be fast and very entertaining, if you like to fish for brookies.

Time: 2 hours or longer

Difficulty level: Easy

 

Discovery

Learn about how our mini-hydro power unit provides the hut with as much as 90% of all the power we need throughout the year.  Take a tour provided by the hut staff down along South Poplar Stream and learn about how it all works.