Dust off your hiking boots. We’re getting ready for our first official hike of the season ...a 2-day trek that will take us from Grand Falls to Flagstaff Lake and back to Poplar Falls.

The date is June 4-5. But we’ll need a head count early so we can reserve enough bunks for our overnight at the scenic Flagstaff Hut, part of the Maine Huts and Trails network of wilderness lodges connected by hiking, biking and skiing trails

Tentative plans are to leave from the Poplar Falls trailhead in Carrabassett at 8 am Saturday morning. We’ll leave cars there and catch a shuttle to the Grand Falls trailhead, where we’ll begin the 12-mile hike to the Flagstaff Hut.

Hikers will be carrying a day pack with snacks, water and lunch. Overnight gear and food for breakfast and dinner will be left at the Poplar Falls trailhead and transported to the Flagstaff trailhead by our volunteer crew of “sherpas”, who will meet us there for the overnight. Hikers will pick up their gear at the Flagstaff service road and carry it in the 1.2 miles to the hut.

The cost for lodging will be $32.10 for members of Maine Huts and $37.45 for non-members. There will be an additional charge of $5 for the Saturday night dinner.

To reserve a bunk, contact Linda Trueworthy ASAP at: ltruew@yahoo.com.

CVOA's volunteer kitchen crew will be preparing a feast of barbequed spare ribs, macaroni cheese and vegetables. Participants are asked to bring either an appetizer or a dessert to share.

We’d welcome extra hands carrying the food into the hut, preparing the meal and cleaning up after.

There are showers at the huts as well as several bunk houses with two to four beds. There are also canoes and kayaks that can be used for evening or morning paddles.

Those who do not want to make the trek in from Grand Falls can meet us at the Flagstaff Hut Saturday afternoon, stay over and join us for dinner and socializing.

Participants are asked to bring and prepare their own breakfast. We’ll have use of the kitchen and the refrigerator.

Sunday morning we’ll hike back to the Poplar Falls lot and retrieve our cars. The hike is 11.2-13.7 miles depending on where we post the cars. Those who do not want to make the second leg of the hike can make arrangements to catch a ride back with one of our “sherpas”.

Please let Linda know if you need a bunk.

Once you’re on our “list,” you’ll be receiving updates as we get closer to kick-off.

And, keep an eye on the web for up-to-the-minute news: www.cvoutdoors.com