Maine Huts and Trails
Maine Huts and Trails is a non-profit public service organization that aims to create a 180-mile network of cross-country ski trail stretching between the Mahoosuc Mountains in Western Maine to Moosehead Lake, the state's largest waterbody.
According to plans, the southernmost point will be located close to Bethel, Maine, and it will terminate in Rockwood, Maine. Along the way, up to 12 wilderness huts will be constructed, each sleeping up to 45 skiers. The distance between huts will average 14 miles.
The proposed route very roughly parallels the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, but generally follows river valleys and utilizes many long-abandoned logging roads that criss-cross the region.
Maine Huts and Trails has raised nearly $4 million to date and expects to open one hut and 40 miles of ski trails in February, 2008. The groundbreaking ceremony for the first hut, at Poplar Stream Falls in Carrabassett Valley, is scheduled for Sept. 6, 2007, with actual construction beginning the following day.
The founder and president is Larry Warren of Carrabassett Valley, who first envisioned the trail network in 1974 and borrowed the huts concept from the Appalachian Mountain Club.