As the warm sun has a tendency to heat up the mountain tops and hillsides of the landscape your going to encounter in northern Maine, we must be prepared for all elements. Anticipate Maine's sunny and somewhat cool weather with virtually zero chance for rain in the spring months. Regardless, here is a sample of what you might need to bring.
Sleeping bags are a brilliant idea if your plans include staying overnight on the trail. Many of Maine's trails have soft and plush terrain so discomfort on the trail should be at a minimum. Most sleeping bags are not waterproof but if you can find some that are, it will be a great benefit incase there is some rain in your forecast. Besides sleeping, a sleeping bag can sometimes be used as shelter from the rain and sun depending on the altitude can help from UV rays. Maine has some of the lowest UV ratings as they are as far north of the equator as possible and sunburns are always at a minimum. Sunscreen is recommended however not necessary as usual depending on the amount of cloud cover and the ever so important UV index.
Along with the sleeping bags, there are virtually zero stops along the various paths that sell concessions, obviously, so water and snacks are a must. If your journey along the Maine countryside consists of more than a few miles, consider taking beef jerky for the protein and water or Powerade.
Aside from the basic necessities, Maine has some of the most construed hiking paths, so visit a local Wal-Mart or outdoor store for a local guide map. Some of the licensed hiking trails have their own forestry station and have maps for free which are available to everyone. Be sure to arrive at the forestry station before 5pm EST to announce your departure and to pick up a guide map. Within the realm of hikers safety, announce your hiking plans to either a nearby friend or with the park ranger. If your not on an official hiking path, it is suggested that you either bring a GPS navigator to plan your route and a possible GPS phone is suggested for very rural areas in the northeast parts of Maine's terrain.
The temperature varies greatly in the northern and western parts of Maine, and as most of the popular hiking trails are located here, please check the daily forecast and have a strong plan to stay hydrated and healthy.
Want to learn more about
Maine hiking? You can read more about hiking in Maine by going to
Maine Hiking Videos online at
http://www. mainehikingvideos.com
