Work starts on trail despite opposition

CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Early work has begun on a 180-mile trail and lodge route across western Maine, according to the group proposing the system.

But the $7 million plan has encountered opposition from conservationists who don’t want the trail running across 8 miles of the state-owned Bigelow Preserve.

Western Mountains Foundation, an offshoot of the nonprofit group that developed Carrabassett Valley’s Ski Touring Center, is proposing a system of cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain biking trails from Newry to Rockwood.

With a dozen lodges sleeping up to 40 people, the route is expected to take six to seven years to build.

Larry Warren of Western Mountains Foundation came up with the project. He said he is working with state land managers to get permission to run the trail across Bigelow.

Meanwhile, members of the Friends of Bigelow recently met with Gov. Angus King to discuss their opposition.

Carol Estey of Friends of Bigelow said the group feels the proposal amounts to a commercial use of state land.

“[Warren] is registered as a nonprofit, but he advertises it as an economic boon to the region,” Estey said. “But it isn’t. It’s going to benefit him.”

After meeting with the governor, Estey said she got the impression that King is not opposed to the plan.

Warren said the dispute over the Bigelow portion of the trail has slowed progress, but he expressed confidence that state officials will allow it.

Some trail work already has begun, and construction of two of the huts probably will begin sometime in July, he said.