Who is the new owner of Burnt Jacket Mountain?

The identity of the new owner of Burnt Jacket Mountain remains a mystery, with some speculating it could be Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

How have rising housing costs and real estate taxes affected the local community in northern Maine?

The influx of wealthy newcomers has driven up housing costs and real estate taxes, putting a strain on the local community and making it difficult for "have-nots" to find affordable places to live.

What is the significance of the closure of the hiking trails on Burnt Jacket Mountain?

The closure of the hiking trails on Burnt Jacket Mountain is seen by locals as a symbol of the broader threat to their outdoor way of life as private lands become increasingly off-limits to the public.

Home / Environment / Wealthy Newcomers Disrupt Maine's Outdoor Tradition

Wealthy Newcomers Disrupt Maine's Outdoor Tradition

15 Nov

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Summary

New "No Trespassing" signs, surveillance cameras, and locked gates installed on Burnt Jacket Mountain
Locals upset over loss of public access to trails and forests, a long-standing tradition
Concerns over rising housing costs and real estate taxes driven by wealthy newcomers

Wealthy Newcomers Disrupt Maine's Outdoor Tradition

In the remote wilderness of northern Maine, a long-standing tradition of public access to private lands has been upended by the arrival of wealthy newcomers. As COVID-19 pandemic transplants and other affluent individuals have put down roots in the Moosehead Lake region, the once-open forests and trails have started to close off.

The most recent flashpoint is Burnt Jacket Mountain, where new "No Trespassing" signs, surveillance cameras, and locked gates have sparked outrage among the locals. The 1,400-acre property was recently purchased for $8 million by an anonymous buyer, who has begun constructing a massive 3,750 square foot home with garages, patios, and a mile-long driveway.