180-mile system of huts, trails moves closer to reality in Maine

Sunday, September 11, 2005

OUTDOORS: Deirdre Fleming

In 1888, the first log hut was erected to shelter alpine hikers in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The trail-and-bunkhouse system that long-distance hikers enjoy today was born along the East Coast.

After years of talk, it appears Maine has firm plans to build a similar trail system.

The nonprofit Western Mountains Foundation is seeking its first executive director to take over fundraising and initiate the groundbreaking of a 180-mile, huts-and-trails system for the state.

Bob Peixotto, L.L. Bean's chief operations officer and head of the foundation's search committee, said the European-style alpine hut system is destined to happen.

"Now we've got the letters of intent for the easements for 118 miles of the northern trail, from Carrabassett to Moosehead Lake," said Peixotto, the foundation's treasurer. "We're in a new place."

The huts system will mirror what is already offered in the White Mountains National Forest and the Colorado Rocky Mountains, where hikers are treated to bunks and linens following hot meals served in a community dining hall.

In New Hampshire, the northern Presidential mountain range is home to 10 huts spread out along more than 50 miles of mountain trails. The Appalachian Mountain Club offers its huts on easy family-style hikes up moderate grades and on more aggressive climbs above treeline on the shoulder of Mount Washington.

Reservations are required and advanced booking encouraged.

Colorado has 29 backcountry huts connecting 350 miles of woodland routes.

The Colorado huts were named for the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, which trained in central Colorado.

In Maine, the Western Mountains Foundation wants to build 12 huts over 180 miles of multi-use trails from Bethel to Moosehead Lake. They would be available for all human-powered activities year-round. Campers would need to make reservations, and pay a lodging fee.

Like the New Hampshire hut system, Maine's alpine cabins would provide warm shelters and hot meals. Hikers traversing the Mahoosuc range and western mountains could travel light, without a tent or cooking stove.

The foundation, directed by an 18-member volunteer board, plans to raise $4.5 million of the $9 million needed for the project in the next year, Peixotto said.

With most of the land agreements locked up, the foundation, at the moment, needs $2 million for the land acquisition, $2 million to build the first three remote cabins and $500,000 for working capital, said Larry Warren, the foundation's founder and president.

Peixotto said the foundation needs an executive director to raise the capital and get the first three huts built and open to serve as "proof of the concept." He

expects to have a dynamic outdoor leader hired by October.

"I think when people are giving money to the foundation, they want to see who is going to be running it," Peixotto said.

"This is a chance to start up our own hut and trail system, to leave a mark on the state," Peixotto said. The new director "will create an environment of excellence for eco-tourism for the rest of Maine," Peixotto said. He or she also will be expected to build the organization "from the ground up," develop the trail and huts and work long hours with an irregular schedule. The salary for the position has yet to be determined.

Peixotto said three huts should be built by late next summer or next fall, but not later than 2007.

"Depending on our ability to raise funds, we will move as quickly as possible with the rest of the huts," Peixotto said.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com

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