Maine Huts and Trails currently offers 45 miles of trail network for people powered sports such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking and a variety of paddle sports. (Two huts are located on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.) During the winter months, our ski trail is groomed for both classic and skate cross country skiing. There is never a fee to use our trails and they are available for use all year round. Our trails have relatively little vertical gain and are generally beginner-friendly. The section from Grand Falls to the Forks is for intermediate and advanced skiers only.
We strongly advise trail users to always carry a trail map when using our trails. The following are detailed descriptions of the trails:
POPLAR STREAM FALLS
TRAILS
Routes to/from Poplar Stream Falls Hut:
» Poplar Stream Falls (PSF) Hut from the Gauge Road Trailhead in Carrabassett Valley (2.4 miles one-way)
The trail starts at the south end of the parking area at the kiosk. Start across the bridge and continue for .6 miles to an intersection with the Maine Hut Trail (MHT). As the sign indicates, take a right, where after just more than a mile, a beautiful view of the Bigelow Range can be seen to the north and west. After another .6 miles or so, you will intersect with the Poplar Stream Falls Hut Cut-Off, which will take you several hundred feet to the hut.
Alternative (Highly recommended for summer use): For those who prefer to avoid the uphill climb out of the parking area, bear left at the smaller side trail located .1 miles from the trailhead. (This section is not groomed, but usually tracked out in the winter). This connects back into the Gauge Rd Connector, where you make a left and then continue to the T-junction. Take a right and follow the same directions to the hut as above. Several loop options exist from the hut site.
» Poplar Stream Falls Hut from the Campbell Field Trailhead in Carrabassett Valley (7.0 miles one way)
Start at the Campbell Field trailhead and take the Narrow Gauge Trail south for 3.9 mi. At the end, look for the Narrow Gauge Connector Trail immediately across Huston Brook Road (use caution, this is an active snowmobile trail in winter) and continue 1.2 mi until it reaches the carriage road. Cross the road (again, watch for snowmobiles) and Poplar Stream footbridge. On the other side of the stream, take a left (N) and continue 2.1 mi. to the hut site.
» Poplar Stream Falls via Larry’s Loop Trail (Approx. 4.0 miles round trip)
This trail lies 0.2 miles north from the T junction up the Maine Hut Trail, and bears left to continue 1.1 miles along Poplar Stream to the base of the south branch of Poplar Stream and the Falls. Continue the loop by ascending the rock staircase; take a left at the top of the stairs (or stay straight to access the hut) and another left onto the hut access road. Cross Poplar Stream and take an immediate left (before the gate – look for sign). Follow the trail 1.6 mi south, take a left across the Poplar Stream footbridge, another left for a few hundred feet, take a right on the Gauge Rd Connector and travel 0.5 mi. back to the trailhead.
» Hut to Hut – Poplar Stream Falls Hut to Flagstaff Lake Hut (11.3 miles one way)
NOTE: This trip usually takes experienced hikers/skiers 3-4 hours and beginner to intermediate hikers/skiers 4.5 – 6 hours. It is important to leave early enough in the day to make maximum use of daylight hours. Exit PSF Hut and make a right on the Maine Hut Trail. After .6 miles, bear right to continue on the MHT and follow this for 3.1 miles until you reach clearing just before Carriage Road, stay right and cross Carriage Rd. 500 yards further north. The trail continues under the power line and emerges to cross East Flagstaff Rd after less than half a mile after the power line. Note: in the winter, the portion of trail between the power line and East Flagstaff Road is shared with a local snowmobile club and is a shared-use trail. Use caution and watch/listen for snowmobilers along this short section. Cross East Flagstaff Rd directly and continue. Use caution shortly after this crossing as there is a steep (but short) section. Summer users should follow this trail for approximately a mile after the East Flagstaff crossing and take a left on the Hemlock Trail. You’ll follow this for 2+ miles before reconnecting with the Maine Hut Trail and completing your trek to the hut. In the winter, continue 1.5 miles to Long Falls Dam Rd. Cross the road, bearing slightly to the right. At this point, the trail climbs several hundred feet before descending back to cross Long Falls Dam Rd again. This section on the east side of LFD Rd. is approx. 2.5 miles long. After crossing back to the west side of Long Falls Dam Rd., continue 3.8 miles to Flagstaff Lake Hut – follow signs for trail specifics as you approach the hut.
FLAGSTAFF LAKE TRAILS
ROUTES
» Flagstaff Lake Hut via Maine Hut Trail (Approx. 3.6 miles round trip) Park at the Long Falls Dam Rd. Trailhead.
The trail leaves from the south corner of the trailhead where the kiosk with maps is located. Follow the trailhead connector trail for .2 miles. Take a right on the Maine Hut Trail (you will see a sign) and follow it for 1.6 miles to the hut. This trail is flat-to-rolling and perfect for families and trail users of all ages and abilities.
GRAND FALLS
ROUTES
» Grand Falls Hut via Maine Hut Trail (Approx. 13.2 miles one way) Park at the Long Falls Dam Rd. Trailhead (directions here).
The trail leaves from the south corner of the trailhead where the kiosk with maps is located. Follow the trailhead connector trail for .2 miles. Take a right on the Maine Hut Trail (you will see a sign) and follow it for 1.4 miles to where the trail crosses a work road. Take a left onto the work road. Go approximately 50 feet up the road and then turn right at the To Grand Falls Hut sign. This trail is flat-to-rolling and perfect for families and trail users of all ages and abilities. However, it is a long hike so an early start is advised to make the best use of daylight.
» Hut to Hut – Flagstaff Lake Hut to Grand Falls Hut (11.5 miles one way)
NOTE: This trip usually takes experienced hikers 5 hours, slightly longer for slower walkers. It is important to leave early enough in the day to make maximum use of daylight hours. Exit Flagstaff Hut via the Maine Hut Trail. Walk approximately 200 yards and take a left at the To Grand Falls Hut sign. Walk 1.2 miles and cross the Long Falls Dam Road. Follow the dirt road which is directly across the Long Falls Dam Road. Walk another 1.2 miles and the trail will again cross the Long Falls Dam Road again. Walk approximately .1 mile and watch for the trail to leave the dirt road on the left side. The trail then follows the Dead River another 8 miles before crossing the Dead River via the Tom & Kate Chappell footbridge. From the bridge you will go another 1.3 miles to the hut.
» Grand Falls Hut from the Big Eddy (7.5 miles one way)
Note: Parking at the Big Eddy is not managed by Maine Huts & Trails but is used as parking for many other outdoor experiences. From the parking area, turn left on the Long Falls Dam Road and walk 1/4 mile. Turn left onto the dirt road (during the winter this is our groomed xc ski trail) continue .1 mile and watch for the trail to leave the dirt road (no dirt road in winter, follow the groomed trail instead) on the left side. The trail then follows the Dead River another 6 miles before crossing the Dead River via the Tom & Kate Chappell footbridge. From the bridge you will go another 1.3 miles to the hut.
» Grand Falls Hut from the West Forks Trailhead (14.2 miles one way)
This section of trail is known as section 4 of the Maine Hut Trail. It is the longest section of trail that does not cross a road. The trail departs from the westerly side of the West Forks Trailhead and continues along the Dead River most of the way to the Grand Falls Hut. The trail departs from the river just after Alder Brook and travels up hill (0.5 miles after crossing Alder Brook) to the front of Grand Falls Hut. During the winter, this 14.2 mile section of the Maine Hut Trail is not recommended for beginner cross-country skiers. It is a relatively long section of trail with several sustained ascents and descents of greater that 10%. This will translate into very fun skiing for intermediate and advanced Nordic skiers only. It is also not recommended as a snowshoe trip, unless those making the trip maintain a very high level of fitness and depart from the trailhead early in the morning.
