Maine Hut and Trail System Promises Mountain Biking Adventure

By Pete Webber
Maine Cyclist
Fall, 2006

Imagine a hut-to-hut bike tour through the spectacular Maine woods. By day you journey on trails among wild rivers and scenic mountains; by night you relax in a remote lodge complete with tasty meals and a soft bed. Sounds great, right? Well, this adventure may soon become a reality thanks to an ecotourism project gathering momentum in western Maine.

The nonprofit project Maine Huts and Trails envisions a 180-mile trail system, enhanced with 12 huts linking Moosehead Lake to the Mahoosucs near the New Hampshire border. The huts will be designed to provide 35 to 40 guests with warm shelter, hot meals, and full staff. Phase one of the project is under way -- a 36-mile segment with three huts linking Carrabassett Valley with the Forks. The group has raised $3.7 million of the $4.5 million they need to complete phase one.

However, mountain bikers are concerned the project has focused its planning efforts on hiking and nordic skiing and overlooked mountain biking. Newspaper articles and the project's website do not mention mountain biking. But Maine Huts and Trails Executive Director David Herring says, "Mountain biking is definitely one of the human-powered activities we'd like to include. We just want to ensure it fits with our other visitors."

Herring admits that mountain biking has not been given enough attention during the conceptual planning process. "Our primary focus has been to become the first U.S. hut-to-hut system to offer groomed ski trails. We need more information about how to accommodate mountain biking and provide high-quality trails for summer visitors."

The hut and trail system could provide a cushy adventure for the fat tire crowd. Riders would finally have the chance to tackle multi-day backcountry rides without toting along heavy food and camping gear. Only Colorado's San Juan Hut System offers a similar experience in the U.S. and has proved to be a magnet for mountain bikers from around the world.

To make it happen, mountain bikers need to speak up and let project developers know we care. If you've got an itch for adventure and want to experience hut-to-hut riding in the future, send your comments to IMBA's Pete Webber at pete@imba.com, BCM's Pete Phair at pete@BikeMaine.org, and David Herring of Maine Huts and Trails at dherring@mainehuts.org.

For more information on Maine Huts & Trails, go to www.mainehuts.org.