Saddleback owners sell 1,750 acres to Root Estates

The owners of Saddleback have sold 1,750 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to the ski area.

The land was sold to a real estate company, Root Estates, which plans to use the land for outdoor recreation and education, according to a press release from Saddleback. The sale price was not disclosed.

Root Estates intends to preserve the forest and landscape, which encompasses both Rock Pond and Midway Pond, according to the release.

JoAnne Taylor, spokeswoman for Saddleback, said the 1,750-acre parcel was one of two parcels for sale out of the 8,000 acres of land owned by the Berry family, which also owns Saddleback. She said the other parcel of land is still for sale.

“We had someone interested in buying it and had a wonderful plan,” Taylor said Friday. “It was just a perfect match.”

“Root Estates’ vision for use of the land is philosophically aligned with the Berry family’s,” said Bill Berry, owner of Saddleback Land and Timber as well as the Saddleback ski area. “We look forward to working with our new neighbor.”

Plans also call for developing the Maine Huts and Trails system, which is a nonprofit system of four lodges and more than 80 miles of trails in Western Maine.

The long-term plans for the property include trails for hiking and mountain biking as well as a wilderness skills education center, wildlife observation stations and primitive campsites built with native materials.

Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252 |

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