View Full Version : Maine Huts&Trail project to cross AT "a few" times
TJ aka Teej
11-22-2006, 18:21
http://www.sunjournal.com/index.php?t=3&storyid=186485
New Balance boosts Maine Huts & Trails project
KINGFIELD - A $500,000 donation from a Boston-based athletic shoe company will sponsor the construction of the first 12 huts envisioned along a 180-mile recreation trail stretching from Bethel to Moosehead Lake.
The system is intended to offer nature-based tourism and boost economic development in the region.
[more at link]
http://www.sunjournal.com/index.php?t=3&storyid=186485
New Balance boosts Maine Huts & Trails project
KINGFIELD - A $500,000 donation from a Boston-based athletic shoe company will sponsor the construction of the first 12 huts envisioned along a 180-mile recreation trail stretching from Bethel to Moosehead Lake.
The system is intended to offer nature-based tourism and boost economic development in the region.
[more at link]
The route keeps changing and I haven't seen the latest plans, but the major impact under past plans has been on the AT as it passes over Bigelow. Both the Horns Pond and the Avery Col campsites are heavily used and if the new trail creates new users, the crowding will get worse.
The worry has been that only the first phase will ever be completed, thus creating 120 new beds near an overused section of trail, where users would have no place to go except to climb Bigelow and do overnight hikes on Bigelow.
Personally, I applaud new trail systems, but I can understand the objections.
Weary
Thanks for the update Teej, Click on the link for the rest of the story. These huts won't look anything like the shelters on the AT, LOL. Kinda pricey stays if I remember correctly, I won't be stayin in em. More flatlanders in the maine woods, or, are they called pilgrims? http://www.mainehuts.org/news.htm
It's an interesting idea. I look forward to exploring the new trail system if and when it gets done.
With John Morton doing the design, it will be suitable for cross-country skiing. However, if we look at Vermont's Catamount trail, it also parallels the Long Trail, but much of it is not suitable for hiking.
Also, many cross-country trails are also used for mountain biking. Will the trail system be open to mountain bikes.
The articles talk about grooming the trail in winter for cross country skiing. That takes money, even if the labor is volunteer.
For those concerned about impacting the Bigelows, the best idea is to prohibit groomers in the Preserve.
Also, many cross-country trails are also used for mountain biking. Will the trail system be open to mountain bikes.
Not where it crosses the AT. Not legally anyway. The cross country ski opportunities sound interesting. How much of this is valley? I can't climb on skis like I can in boots.