Park officials ready to ‘Take a Hike’

By Kathy McCarty  
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — Folks who enjoy fall and all its splendorous colors will have the opportunity this weekend to take in nature’s wonders during a guided foliage hike at Aroostook State Park.
    Fall is officially here and with it comes the inevitable changing of the leaves. This weekend park officials invite everyone to take in the sights and sounds at the park, where a variety of species — both flora and fauna — can be found. Warm, sunny days, fresh air and colorful leaves define fall in Maine and provide a perfect opportunity to ‘take a hike’ at a Maine state park.
    “The rugged but rewarding three-mile hike will allow participants to enjoy the beautiful season of fall in Northern Maine. Park rangers and forest rangers will hike along, up Quaggy Jo Mountain where the spectacular views will offer a very unique look at the forest and agricultural lands of Aroostook County,” said Park Director Scott Thompson.
    The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL), under the Maine Department of Conservation, has joined with the Maine Forest Service (MFS) and Project Learning Tree to offer four guided foliage hikes at four different state parks this month and in October.
    The fall hikes, the first program of its kind offered by the state parks, are all easy, family-friendly, guided tours of four of the most beautiful fall-foliage areas in the state, according to park officials. Each tour will be led by a BPL park ranger and an MFS district forester.
    “Seeing the fall foliage from your car is a fun thing to do, but experiencing the fall colors as you hike through one of our state parks is even better,” Will Harris, BPL director, said. “Besides using your sense of sight, these fall hikes will stimulate the senses of hearing, smell, touch and, perhaps, even taste.”
    “Come out and experience nature’s finest with us,” Harris urged.
    The hike can be a real learning experience, according to organizers.
    “If you’ve ever wondered why the leaves change colors, what triggers leaf drop, how to identify trees, this is a great opportunity to get in the woods with a park ranger and a district forester to get immersed in Maine’s most colorful season,” Gary Best, BPL interpretive specialist, said.
    The four hikes will take place:
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle;
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, Grafton Notch State Park;
• 2-2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11, Bradbury Mountain State Park; and
• 1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11, Camden Hills State Park, Camden.
    A special thanks goes to Poland Spring, which will provide water for all hikers and to Project Learning Tree, which has helped develop the hike program, Best said.
    “There has been a growing interest among people to get outdoors and enjoy fall in Maine,” Best said.  “The hike program is a unique opportunity for park visitors not only to hike in a beautiful area, but also to understand what is going on in nature during this season with explanations from the park ranger and district forester.”
    The hike program begins up north at Aroostook State Park, which also has the distinction of being Maine’s first state park, and follows the fall colors as they travel downstate, Best said.
    The hike is part of a continuing statewide program to encourage individuals to get outside and get healthy.
    “The hikes are being offered under the ‘Take A Hike!’ promotion, part of Gov. John E. Baldacci’s ‘Take It Outside!’ initiative to encourage Maine kids and families to enjoy the outdoors for both good health and recreation. In June, the ‘Take A Hike!’ initiative sponsored numerous hikes around the state for National Trails Day, with about 250 people taking part. This is a continuation of that program,” Best said.
    Best said he expected a good turnout for the hikes, pointing out that in general, Maine’s state parks have experienced a boost in attendance with the recent good weather.
    “The park attendance is big, people already are getting out,” he said. “This is an added value to their experience, and we hope lots of people will take advantage of this opportunity.”
    The fee to participate at Aroostook State Park will be $1.50 per adult. Officials advise participants to dress appropriately for being outdoors.
    “Please dress appropriately for the weather. The hike will take place, rain or shine. We recommend sturdy footwear, snacks, water, binoculars and a camera for those who want to capture the experience to share with others later,” said Thompson.
    Thompson said now is a great time to experience what the parks have to offer.
    “One of the best times to ‘Take It Outside’ is now, during Maine’s most colorful season. We hope to see you there,” said Thompson.
    For more information about the guided fall foliage hikes statewide, contact Best at 287-5976. For information on Aroostook State Park’s, contact Thompson at 768-8341. Or go to: http://take-it-outside.com/hike.shtml. For information on fall foliage in Maine, go to: http://www.mainefoliage.com. For information on Maine trees, go to: http://www.state.me.us/doc/mfs/pubs/ftm/ftm_centennial.html.