KINGFIELD – New late summer and fall activities at Maine Huts & Trails (MH&T) will provide visitors with an alternative paddling experience on Flagstaff Lake, a guided three-day adventure along the Dead River, and nearly three miles of mountain biking on a professionally designed singletrack trail.
Stand Up Paddleboarding on Flagstaff Lake
Stand up paddleboards are available for overnight guests at Flagstaff Hut now through Sept. 1. The surf-like boards propelled with one long paddle while standing or kneeling provide a fun way to explore beautiful Flagstaff Lake and its views of the Bigelow Mountain Range. All experience levels are welcome to the paddleboards, with a suggested minimum age of 12.
The paddleboards will be free for use by MH&T members, and available to non-members by purchasing a $10 per person day membership at Flagstaff Hut. Reservations for paddleboards are encouraged when making a hut reservation.
New Singletrack Trail to Stratton Brook Hut
Some of the top mountain bike trail designers in New England are at work on a nearly three-mile trail that will provide exceptional quality riding both to and from Stratton Brook Hut.
The 2.8-mile, singletrack Oak Knoll Trail is expected to be open for riding in mid-September, and will be the first MH&T trail built specifically for mountain bikes, joining several miles of repurposed hiking and ski trails currently open to bikes.
The intermediate level Oak Knoll Trail will be bi-directional (meaning it can be ridden up or down) and will be fun to ride in either direction thanks to a trail design that gives a sense of back and forth flow, minimizes uphill climbing grades, and has reverse grades for additional fun. The trail will cover extremely technical terrain and is being built to the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s highest standards for sustainability and rideability.
A completed section of the singletrack Oak Knoll Trail for mountain bikers at Maine Huts & Trails. The new trail will open to the public in September. Credit: Maine Huts & Trails
The new trail will allow riders to connect with Crommits By-Pass Trail which joins the eastern part of the town of Carrabassett Valley Narrow Gauge Pathway and on to the MH&T Poplar Hut. Heading west from Stratton Brook Hut, a rider can access the Dead Moose, Esker and Birthday Hill trails for more than eight miles of remote backcountry riding to the Poplar Hut.
MH&T envisions having 15-18 miles of quality, purpose-built mountain bike trails in the area of the Stratton Brook Hut.
Dead River Guided Canoeing Package
Let a Registered Maine Guide lead you on a six-mile, flat-water paddle down the Upper Dead River, followed by a two-mile hike to Grand Falls Hut for a two-night stay. This fully guided adventure will happen Sept. 14-16 and Sept. 28-30 and is great for beginners or anyone looking for a unique experience on the Dead River.
Paddle through deciduous and evergreen trees with stunning views of the Bigelow Range and Blanchard Mountain. Moose, beavers, songbirds, loons, kingfishers, mergansers and bald eagles have been seen along the river.
Reach Grand Falls Hut on foot via the wooded Maine Hut Trail or the Fisherman’s Trail which follows the river. Near the hut, the horseshoe-style Grand Falls span 120 feet across the river and drop 40 feet.
Bunkroom lodging, all meals, guided activities, canoes, and paddling equipment are included in the package price of $222 per adult or $92 per child age 17 and under for MH&T members, or $242 per adult and $112 per child for non-members.
To reserve the package or get more information about any late summer or fall activities, call 207-265-2400 or visit http://www.mainehuts.org/.
I have heard good things about this place.