Routes

» Flagstaff Lake Hut via Maine Hut Trail (Approx. 3.6 miles round trip)

Park at the Long Falls Dam Rd. Trailhead (directions here).

The trail leaves from the south corner of the trailhead where the kiosk with maps is located.  Follow the trailhead connector trail for .2 miles.  Take a right on the Maine Hut Trail (you will see a sign) and follow it for 1.6 miles to the hut.  This trail is flat-to-rolling and perfect for families and trail users of all ages and abilities.

» Poplar Stream Falls (PSF) Hut from the Gauge Road Trailhead in Carrabessett Valley (4.6 miles roundtrip)
The trail starts at the south end of the parking area at the kiosk.  Start across the bridge and continue for .6 miles to an intersection with the Maine Hut Trail (MHT). As the sign indicates, take a right, where after just more than a mile, a beautiful view of the bigelow Range can be seen to the north and west. After another .6 miles or so, you will intersect with the Poplar Stream Falls Hut Cut-Off, which will take you several hundred feet to the hut.

Alternative: For those who prefer to avoid the uphill climb out of the parking area, bear left at the smaller side trail located .1 miles from the trailhead. (this section is ungroomed, but usually tracked out in the winter). This connects back into the Gauge Rd Connector, where you make a left and the continue to the T-junction. Take a right and follow the same directions to the hut as above.  Several loop options exist from the hut site.

» Poplar Stream Falls Hut from the Campbell Field Trailhead in Carrabassett Valley (7.8 miles one way)
Start at the Campbell Field trailhead and take the Narrow Gauge Trail south for 3.9 mi. At the end, look for the Narrow Gauge Connector Trail immediately across Huston Brook Road (use caution, this is an active snowmobile trail) and continue 1.2 mi until it reaches the carriage road. Cross the road (again, watch for snowmobiles) and Poplar Stream footbridge. On the other side of the stream, take a left (N) and continue 2.1 mi. to the hut site.

» Poplar Stream Falls via Loop Trail (Approx. 4.0 miles round trip)
This ungroomed trail lies 0.2 miles north from the T junction up the Maine Hut Trail, and bears left to continue 1.1. miles along Poplar Stream to the base of the south branch of Poplar Stream and the Falls. Continue the loop by ascending the rock staircase; take a left at the top of the stairs and another left onto the hut access road. Cross Poplar Stream and take an immedaite left (before the gate - look for sign).  Follow the trail 1.6 mi south, take a left across the Poplar Stream footbridge, another left for a few hundred feet, take a right on the Gauge Rd Connector and travel 0.5 mi. back to the trailhead.

» Hut to Hut  - Poplar Stream Falls Hut to Flagstaff Lake Hut (11.2 miles one way)

NOTE: This trip usually takes experienced skiers 3-4 hours and beginner to intermediate skiers 4.5 - 6 hours.  It is important to leave early enough in the day to make maximum use of daylight hours.  Exit PSF Hut via the Hut Cut-Off and make a right on the Maine Hut Trail.  After .6 miles, bear right to continue on the MHT and follow this for 3.1 miles until you reach clearing just before Carriage Road, stay right and cross Carriage Rd. 500 yards further north.  The trail continues under the powerline and emerges to cross East Flagstaff Rd after less than half a mile after the powerline.  Note: the portion of trail between the power line and East Flagstaff Road is shared with a local snowmobile club and is a shared-use trail.  Use caution and watch/listen for snowmobilers along this short section.  Cross East Flagstaff Rd directly and continue.  Use caution shortly after this crossing as there is a steep (but short) section.  Continue 1.5 miles to Long Falls Dam Rd.  Cross the road, bearing slightly to the right. At this point, the trail climbs several hundred feet before descending back to to cross Long Falls Dam Rd again.  This section on the east side of LFD Rd. is appr. 2.5 miles long.  After crossing back to the west side of Long Falls Dam Rd., continue 3.8 miles to Flagstaff Lake Hut - follow signs for trail specifics as you approach the hut. 

» Shuttle - We have found a local Carrabassett Valley resident who runs a Taxi Service that can hold up to 7 passengers plus skis/snowshoes/gear.  His name is Greg Roy and he can be reached at 207-329-3482 or 207-235-2047.  Please call at least one hour ahead of time (we recommend calling him at least a week or more in advance).  He can provide shuttling service between the two trailheads to facilitate a hut-to-hut trip.