Western Maine Hut Hike

Important Update: Our Western Maine Hut trip has been on hold for several years now for reasons including COVID and Maine Huts and Trails reorganization around how their huts are used during the summer season and fall seasons. We will be reworking our itinerary and will hopefully be operating the trip in 2025!

Day 1: Portland, Maine Jetport – transfer to AMC Hut: After a meeting as a group at the Portland Jetport, we will travel to Gorman Chairback Lodge, located in the heart of Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness. The lodge was originally built as a private camp in 1867 and later used as a traditional Maine Sporting Camp. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has renovated the lodge as part of their Maine Woods Initiative Project, which protects 100,000 acres of land, including part of the 100-mile Wilderness along the AT.

The AMC is the nation’s oldest outdoor recreation organization and its continuing mission is to “promote the protection, enjoyment, and the understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region.” All of the AMC huts and lodges are models for environmentalism, education, and stewardship, and Gorman Chairback Lodge is a shining example.

After settling in, we’ll take a walk along some of the lodge’s own trails and hopefully spot a moose. Welcome dinner.

Day 2: Day Hike to Third Mountain: After a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off on a day hike. Departing the lodge, we’ll head to Third Mountain Trail as it climbs to meet the Appalachian Trail and Chairback Ridge. We will likely cross paths with AT “Thru-Hikers” trying to reach Mount Katahdin and the end of their 2,200-mile journey. There are a few hiking options for today, and the weather will be a determining factor in making our plan. Cabins with shared facilities. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

Day 3: Gulf Hagas to AMC Hut: Today we set off for Little Lyford Lodge. We’ll follow Henderson Brook Trail as it descends past a series of small waterfalls and pools before it joins the AT. Crossing the Pleasant River, normally a shallow but fast-moving river, we’ll hike through the beautiful old-growth pine stand of the Hermitage before starting on the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail.

Gulf Hagas, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is a stunning 4-mile gorge with steep, narrow slate walls. Dropping over 400 feet in four miles, the river has created a dazzling series of waterfalls, pools, and chutes. We’ll have great views from the rim before reaching the Head of the Gulf Trail and continuing on to the Little Lyford Lodge. Bunkrooms with shared facilities. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

Day 4: Morning Hike – transfer Maine Huts and Trails: We have a few options today for a morning hike, or you may also decide to linger over coffee and spend the morning enjoying the hut before traveling to The Forks and the Grand Falls Hut.

One of our options is a hike up Indian Mountain (2,338′) which offers fine views of the AT’s 100-Mile Wilderness from its summit. Another option is to stay closer to Little Lyford and hike the Pond Loop Trail, which goes around the scenic shores of Little Lyford Ponds.

Our 50-mile transfer, between the Moosehead Lake region and the western mountains, will take about 2 hours. Once at the trailhead, we’ll have about a half-mile walk into Grand Falls Hut, Maine Huts, and Trails’ most remote hut, in time for dinner.

We are now in Maine Huts and Trails territory. One of the newest outdoor organizations and a non-profit, Maine Huts and Trails has begun the work of establishing a 180-mile network of trails and mountain huts. It's being developed through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes of Maine’s Western Mountains. Its mission is to “preserve some of Western Maine’s best backcountry for the purposes of conservation and environmentally sensitive economic development, and ensure public access for generations to come.” Bunkrooms with shared facilities. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

Day 5: Canoe and hike to Flagstaff Lake: Our day begins with a short descent to the Dead River. A mile and a half into our hike, we’ll pass by Grand Falls. An imposing waterfall 40 feet high and 120 feet across, Grand Falls is one of the most powerful and scenic undammed waterfalls in the Northeast. Just past the Falls, we’ll pick up our canoes for a five-mile paddle along the Dead River. Calm through this section, it slices a path through this remote and beautiful corner of Maine. Once we’re back onshore again we’ll have another 3 miles of hiking through the woods and along the shore of Flagstaff Lake to the Flagstaff Hut. Bunkrooms with shared facilities. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

Day 6: Hike Cranberry Peak: A morning pontoon boat transfer across Flagstaff Lake will afford great views of the Bigelow Range before we're deposited on the opposite shore at the start of The Range Trail. We climb to the summit of Cranberry Peak (3,213′). The trail begins gradually and then climbs steadily. Once at the top, the 360-degree views are spectacular. On our descent, we pass by the shores of Cranberry Pond, and then we once again join the AT as it heads south. From the valley, we have a short transfer to our accommodation for the night. Twin-bed rooms with private bathrooms. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

Day 7: Day hike – transfer to Lodge: We begin with a short transfer and then hike to Stratton Brook Hut (1,880′), arriving in time for lunch. A 3-mile return hike will bring us back for our van transfer to Kingfield and our night’s accommodation, Claybrook Mountain Lodge. Farewell Dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

Day 8: Depart for Portland Jetport: After breakfast, we’ll depart for Portland, a 3-hour drive. We will arrive at the Portland Jetport at about 12:00 noon.