Worth the trip - Adventure
Worth the Trip, by Henry Garfield
Here’s a kind of cabin fever you’ll want to catch, at the hut-to-hut trail in western Maine.
Imagine a series of warm, comfortable lodges spread out along 180 miles of spectacular backcountry trails in Maine’s western mountains. Depending on the season, you can hike, snowshoe, or ski from the hut at Poplar Stream Falls to the one at Flagstaff Lake, through 11 miles of unspoiled terrain.
That’s the vision of the people at Maine Huts and Trails, a Kingfield-based not-for-profit corporation dedicated to building a “recreational infrastructure” for non-motorized outdoor sports—in a part of the state that is too often overlooked, according to executive director Dave Herring. Two huts—modern structures that can house up to 42 visitors, with hot showers, comfortable rooms, and home-cooked meals—are now open to the public, thanks to sponsors New Balance Foundation, L.L. Bean, and Leon and Lisa Gorman.
Use of the trails, which are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter, is free. Prices for stays at the huts are reasonable and family rates are available. Members of Maine Huts and Trails receive a discount. Be sure to reserve well in advance, especially for winter weekends, Herring says. Cabin fever sufferers are catching on.
Getting there:
Directions vary depending on your direction of travel. For directions from your area, or to make reservations for your own hut-to-hut experience, visit the Maine Huts and Trails website, or call 877-634-8824.
Posted on: Maine Ahead
