AUGUSTA – More than 25 group hikes are being offered all across the state next month on Saturday, June 6, National Trails Day, through the “Take A Hike” program organized by Take It Outside.
This is the first year for the “Take A Hike” program, under Gov. John E. Baldacci’s “Take It Outside” initiative which helps Maine children and families get outside and enjoy nature. Designed for people of all ages and varying abilities, the organized hikes will take place at state parks and state lands, Acadia National Park, land trusts and community parks.
“Hiking is one of the easiest and simplest ways for people, and especially families, to enjoy nature and create memorable experiences,” Commissioner Patrick McGowan of the Maine Department of Conservation, which oversees the Bureau of Parks and Lands, said. “Maine also has some incredible places to hike. People can see extraordinary scenery, view wildlife and explore the wonders of nature right in their own home state. What could be better?”
“Without a doubt, Maine state parks and public reserved lands provide some of the best hiking trails around,” Will Harris, BPL director, said. “We hope that Maine residents and visitors get outside on June 6 and ‘Take A Hike’ with us. With more than 25 guided hikes available across the state, there is one in everyone’s backyard and for all abilities.”
National Trails Day is an event day promoted by the American Hiking Society. It encourages the public and trail enthusiasts to seek out their favorite trails for hiking, maintenance and educational activities. With more than 300 miles of hiking trails on state parks and public lands, Maine has plenty of places for residents and visitors to explore, according to BPL officials.
The “Take A Hike” program consists “primarily of guided hikes all over the state with the idea to encourage families to do something new or experienced hikers to join on a group hike,” Gary Best, BPL interpretive specialist, said. While stewardship and trail maintenance will take place, the more general idea of the day-long event is “to not only give back to the trail, but also to get on the trail,” he said.
Each Maine hike will be different and cover various types of terrain, including an urban walk in Portland, Best emphasized. Family-friendly hikes will be held at such places as Bradbury Mountain, Camden Hills and Holbrook Island state parks. More difficult hikes will be held at Tumbledown Mountain and Nahmakanta. An outing suitable for people in wheelchairs will be held at Wolfe’s Neck State Park and will include an osprey watch, he said.
Groups will consist of about 15 people each, but the number of participants won’t determine the success of the event, Best said. “If we get one family outside hiking, it’s a success,” he said, “but hopefully, we’ll get dozens and dozens.”
Guides with a variety of backgrounds also will take part in leading the hikes, Best said. The leaders include park staff, many of whom also are naturalists, foresters, Maine Conservation Corps environmental educators, and national park rangers.
A number of the hikes have interpretive themes, Best said. Hikes will focus or include such topics as birding, geology, insects, forestry and history and culture. Participants also will get an orientation to hiking in general and learn about trail etiquette and safety, he said.
Best is leading a hike at Grafton Notch State Park on the 2.4 mile Table Rock Loop. “This will be a great hike for anyone new to hiking or just warming up your calf muscles,” he said. “We’ll explore a spectacular combination of scenery and natural history of the area, and at the top, I promise some stunning views.”
At Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, several easy hikes will be led starting at 8:00 a.m. with the location depending on the group size and ages.
Sponsoring the first “Take A Hike day” is Poland Spring, which is donating bottled water at select hikes and the Maine Forest Service, which will give out Smokey Bear freebies for children and Healthy Maine Partnerships is providing water bottles.
World-renowned retailer L.L.Bean also will set up a hiking station at Wolfe’s Neck State Park and have informational and hiking equipment displays, Best said.
The hikes will take place rain or shine, and participants should dress appropriately, the parks specialist said. Hikers should wear sturdy footwear, with enclosed toes, and comfortable clothing, preferably in layers. They also should bring insect repellant, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and extra water, he said.
Participants are asked to register in advance and can get more information at the “Take A Hike” web page, Best said. The page lists all available hikes, with specific descriptions and contact information, he said.
For more information, go to: http://www.parksandlands.com and click on the “Take A Hike” link.
