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Maine Huts and Trails: Poplar Stream Hut Opens

March 05, 2008 - CARRABASSETT VALLEY -- As the sun streamed down, through a crystal blue sky, cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts blazed their own trail on the first portion of the Maine Huts and Trail system which led to the first finished hut at Poplar Stream Falls.

From babies to baby boomers the trek into the hut complex proved to be an unforgettable experience on ribbon cutting day Feb. 16.

"It has the perfect multi-use mix," said John Connelly who came up from Falmouth with his wife for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

He ice skied in, which is skiing like an ice skater from side to side, to gain speed and momentum.

"The trail has the width to ice ski, it's great."

The well-groomed trail that meanders through the woods, by a river and a waterfall, is a comfortable journey. For the adventurer that wishes a workout, the different paths that converge at the hut complex provide different levels of workouts. The direct trail had just the right mix of modest hills and turns that kept people smiling, despite the 10 degree temperature, and gave families a great time outside in nature.

"I'm hot," said Sarah Daly snowshoeing with her father and sister; the night before they spent in a trail hut. "It was a blast. We stayed up all night and played games."

The main hut includes a community lounge, kitchen dinning area, showers, bathroom facilities and lodging for up to four staff members.

"Three adjacent cabins are equipped with bunk beds and can accommodate over 40 guests.

The Poplar Stream Falls facility is the first of a 12-hut network that will be built along what will be a 180-mile recreation corridor stretching from Bethel to Moosehead Lake.

"This is the first chapter of a 12-chapter story. Today is a celebration of community, of people and of special places," said MHT Executive Director Dave Herring. "We are creating a place for people to recreate in nature. I see it as a special resource, for visitors from Maine, and around the world to enjoy responsibly."

MHT was founded by Mainers who share a vision for preserving Maine's beautiful, remote areas. Their goal is to preserve some of Westem Maine's best backcountry for the purposes of conservation and environmentally sensitive economic development, and ensure public access for generations to come. Larry Warren, a founder of Westem Mountains Foundation and visionary of the Huts and Trail system, has worked on this project for over 21 years.

"We believe that nature-based tourism, experiential education, and quality destination resort facilities will create significant opportunities. It is already. Last night kids were just sitting around here playing games like Scrabble while parents looked on. They were having a ball. I feel great about it," said Warren.

As for the next step, "We've been working closely with LURC for approval of the next hut on Flagstaff Lake. The strong support of a lot people is making this project happen. We've raised $5.5 million, 95 percent of that from private philanthropy. This movement started from just a power point presentation. Now that we have evidence of what it's all about," he said gesturing to the hut, "We are optimistic we will be able to succeed with more fundraising for the future. Now we are in a position where we can demonstrate we can deliver."

Warren's vision didn't materialize over night. It took years of planning, research, dedication, negotiations, building relationships and a steadfast belief that the project would help Westerri Maine's communities in a myriad of positive ways preservirig the Western Mountain experience for generations to come.

"In the planning of this Maine Huts and Trails we spent a lot of time with the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the tenth mountain division huts system out in Colorado. We had the managers of the Milford Track in New Zealand come here. We had Martin Grimmes of Harbor Technologies in Brunswick consult us on the trails in Norway. He showed us what's going on and how significant this kind of trail system is to Norway. We've identified that the huts are the cutting edge of creating interest for nature-based tourism and an eco-tourism model that can benefit communities that have the opportunity of havirig year round seasonal out door activities. It ties together all of Westem Maine's sporting canip activities, all of Western Maine's classic cross-country skiing activities, all of Westem Maine's alpine ski communities. What it does is, rather than have these communities compete we now have a common resource to rally around, promote and to share a customer base whether it's in state or out of state."

That thought was echoed by Greg Drummond of Claybrook Mountain Lodge.

"Now that it is happening I can see how great a benefit it will be to the local economy. It's far better that people who used to compete are now working together. This could be big."

With Maine's economy in transition, projects like MHT have become more important for the state's economic growth.

"As you can see it's not just a cabin in the woods. It's about economic development in the state, education and outdoor recreation," said Chairman of MHT, Bob Peixotto. "Today you can ski 15 miles between here and Flagstaff Lake. Every time I'm out on this trail I see cars in the parking lot and people on the trail and I know we have created a new resource. We conservatively estimate 400 people have used the trail, so far. I was thrilled when Yarmouth high school brought their Nordic Ski Team up here to train a couple of weeks ago."

The project has already involved the local community with plans for future involvement.

"We've grown from a bunch of volunteers to a staff of 10. We've provided significant construction for the area, spending around $750,000 in the local communities buying goods and services," said Peixotto. "Starting this year we will be working with local schools, getting students out on the trails learning about their surroundings while getting healthy. They will be learning the natural history of the flora and fauna ofthe region and the stories of people who have lived in the Westem Mountains for generations... The hut is also a model of environmentally sensitive econornic development with a self-sustaining hydro-energy power system, solar panels and compositing toilets."

Two more huts will follow to create a four-season, 36-mile, three-hut complex destination by the summer of 2008. Eight more will be built to complete the 180-mile joumey through Maine's wildemess. State govemment officials were on hand for the first hut's ribbon cutting at Poplar Stream Falls and have taken an active interest in the project. The governor's son. Jack Baldacci, skied in for the event.

The Appalachian Mountain Club's hut system in New Hampshire generates an estimated $70 million annually for its White Mountain communities. Once finished the MHT system is conservatively expected to have at least a $50 million impact for the Westem Mountains. Last September Govemor Baldacci asked "What's not to like about this project?"

MHT is growing Maine in the right way for a sustainable future in eco-tourism preserving Maine's quality of life while bringing in significant tourism revenue. "We think with the opportunity to promote nature-based tourism with an eco-tourism model could be significant not only on a state wide basis but on a national and an international basis," said Warren. "We think it will put Maine on the map."

Prices for staying ovenight begin at $55. For more information email lodging@mainehuts.org.


SOURCE: ORIGINAL IRREGULAR

DATE: 02-27-2008

Lakes:
Regions: Sebago, Rangeley, Moosehead


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