great hiking in Maine (Portland, Lewiston: campsites, best place, parks)

[flycessna]

So everyone must have a favorate hike somewhere in Maine.

Well, lets hear about it.

"one" of mine: monument hill in leeds maine. An easy little walk, great for little children too, that takes to a monument dedicated to civil war soldiers from leeds. listed in the Gazateer map 12 c1

[Elcarim]

Great thread! I'll be referring back to this one as soon as we get up there and get settled. We, too, will be looking for all the best places to hike with children. How do people hike with a toddler, I'm wondering. I don't worry at all about my girls (6 & 7 by the time we move) but my 2 y.o. son can't walk that far. What kind of equipment should we look into for him?

Thanks! You guys are SO full of valuable info that you just can't get in books!

[moughie]

Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal is a great spot if you have younger children.

The hike up the mountain is easy for adults and fun for kid. The view at the top is gorgeous!!! Best of all, there is a children's playground for the the kids have a blast in!!!

Bradbury Mountain State Park, a Maine State Park near Auburn, Birch Island, Gorham, Lewiston, Portland !

[ruthere04976]

Mt. Battie in Camden Hills State Park is my favorite place. Invest in an LL Bean backpack - I packed my daughter til she was 3.

[mollysmiles]

what a great idea for a thread flycessna!

let's see....

there's a trail called Bold Coast that is off Rt 191 between Lubec and Cutler. The largest section of the trail is about 10 miles, maybe 12, but definately an overnight thing. There are campsites, but no water, so you have to carry it in as well as your gear The shorter section of the trail, about 5 miles, can easily be done in a day. I actually like to do it in reverse so that I'm hiking along the coast at the end, instead of the marsh and woods. It's a rugged hike, but with plenty of water and a snack you'll be fine! The views are outstanding! I'll post some pics in the picture thread! Map 27 on your Gazetteer

Also in the Lubec/Trescott area there's a trail called Horan's Head...haven't been there in a couple of years, but it's a pretty hike, and not nearly as rugged as Bold Coast--at least not the section I've done---also Map 27.

In Eastport there is a Shackford's Head hike....I'd go up to the lookout first--the view is outstanding!--then head down and hike the Schooner Trail. I think that's a bit dicey in places, but a nice workout! That's also Map 27--barely!

Now a hike that I've been wanting to do but haven't yet is Great Wass Island, off Jonesport. You can drive over to the Island, and friends say it's a beautiful hike. Once again, it's along the coastline, with a lot of ups and down and rugged hiking! Map 26 on your Gaz....

My favorite hike outside of Washington County is one hubby and I first took about 5 years ago in winter with about 3 feet of snow on the ground. It's Bates-Morse Mountain, off Rt. 216 in Phippsburg. I haven't been there in about 3 years, the last time I went it was spring. It is beautiful! We're hoping to go back mid October! That's on Map 6

Keep posting guys....this is a great way to find places you may have never been! Kudos to you fly!!

[mollysmiles]

(you must spread some reputation around before giving it to flycessna again)

darn it.

[msina]

Mount Katahdin has a lot to offer also Mount Katahdin Baxter State Park

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by ruthere04976

Mt. Battie in Camden Hills State Park is my favorite place. Invest in an LL Bean backpack - I packed my daughter til she was 3.

LOL...that's definitely a new workout plan. What a great way to have fun and stay in shape..the Maine version.

[Elcarim]

I was guessing that's what we'd have to do. And yes, with a 30 pound boy on your back, that would sure provide a great workout!

[ogre]

Originally Posted by msina

Mount Katahdin has a lot to offer also Mount Katahdin Baxter State Park

Of course the OP described an easy hike that's good for the kids, while anything around Katahdin involves some seriously rugged trail work. As long as we're in this territory, though, one of my favorite hikes in Baxter, which I would recommend to anyone up for a challenging day on the trail, is to go from east to west on the full loop around all the peaks surrounding Chimney Pond campground: up the Dudley trail at the east end of the Katahdin ridge, over the Knife Edge, from Baxter peak down into the saddle and across to Hamlin, then back down the Hamlin Ridge Trail to the Chimney Pond trail and back around to the starting point. Nice variety of rock surfaces at different points on Katahdin, interesting mix of Alpine vegetation in the saddle as it leads up toward Hamlin peak, nice panoramic view ahead as you descend the Hamlin Ridge trail, and, shortly after you begin the descent, a spectacular view of Katahdin and the Basins.

One hike in Baxter that could be really nice with all but very small children would be to start at Roaring Brook campground, which you can drive to from the park entrance, and hike up the Chimney Pond trail to the trail that cuts off to a spot called Blueberry Knoll. Some awesome glimpses of the surrounding mountains at different spots along the trail up, and a pleasant view across open space from the knoll itself. The one time I was at Blueberry Knoll there were no moose around, but I was told it's often a good spot for sighting them because of the open view.

You can't go wrong anywhere in Baxter!