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HIKING TIPS & WILDERNESS CONSIDERATIONS
Those of us who work for Baxter State
Park cherish the land we manage and
hope you will strive to respect both
the land and its inhabitants during
your visit here.
Carry In/Carry Out
All trash and garbage, including
cigarette butts, plastic wrappings,
disposable diapers, orange peels, banana
peels, etc., must be taken out of the
park with you when you leave. Campgrounds
can provide small litterbags for this
purpose.
Groups
Please be sure the sound levels
and activities of your group are suitable
in a wilderness park where the majority
seek solitude and quiet.
Photography
Wildlife should be enjoyed but from
a distance. Remember you are a visitor.
The Park is the animal's home.
- Do not leave the trail to chase
animals into the woods. Rangers can
help you learn more about the best
places and times to see animals. Used
with respect and care, this knowledge
can enable you to take pictures without
unnecessarily disturbing species during
critical times (i.e. egg incubating,
birthing, etc.)
- Do NOT feed any animals under any
circumstances. Keep the animals wild!
DAYPACK ESSENTIALS
Water: Always carry water (at
least 2 quarts/person when climbing
any of the mountains). Trailside springs
are unreliable, as are any named "springs"
denoted on maps of Katahdin.
Flashlight: Plan hikes with
the intention of finishing in daylight,
but ALWAYS carry a flashlight as a precaution.
See BSP Regulation #17.
Extra food and clothing: Candies,
nuts or dried fruit in addition to your
lunch and liquids. Also wool/pile shirt
and/or sweater, hat, extra socks, and
raingear.
Sturdy footwear: Trails are
rocky and footing is difficult. For
your safety, be sure footwear is adequate.
Tennis shoes are not suitable for mountain
climbing.
First Aid: Supplies, such as
bandaids, ace bandages, and mole skin,
to take care of you and those hiking
in your group. Most common first aid
problem: Blisters!
Map/Guide Book: Know your route;
plan alternatives for bad weather.
Other suggestions: Compass,
matches, foil emergency blanket, whistle,
parachute cord, knife, pack repair kit.
SAFE HIKING
- Sign in/Sign out at
trail head registers.
- Stay on the Trails.
Since 1963, there have been 19 fatalities
on Katahdin alone (and numerous lost
person injuries), 80% of which were
caused by people leaving the trail.
Staying on the trails also helps us
preserve the flora throughout the
park, which is especially fragile
in the alpine zone above treeline.
- Turn back if bad weather
or darkness approaches. Allow equal
time for descents as for ascents.
Have a turnaround time chosen before
you climb.
- Choose routes wisely
and consistent with the abilities
for the least experienced group member.
Lightning Safety
With good planning and an eye to the sky, you should get below treeline before a storm arrives. Please Remember: If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning! At the first sign of lightning or the first sound of thunder— Get below treeline immediately!
- If caught above treeline in a thunderstorm:
- Find the lowest point of open area and move there quickly.
- Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
- On open ground, squat low on something dry (non-metal pack, sleeping bag), keep your feet close together, make yourself the smallest possible object with the least contact on the ground.
- DO NOT lie down.
- GROUPS - have everyone be aware of changing weather and appoint someone to be a lightning and thunder lookout. Plan extra time to get everyone below treeline before a storm is upon you. If caught above treeline, spread out to avoid multiple victims through side flashes.
- Avoid during lightning:
- Alpine areas or mountaintops
- Open areas
- Objects that stick up from the ground, such as single trees
- Shallow caves
- Overhangs
- Water
- Cell phones
- Metal objects (including in or on your pack - cooking pots, tent poles, stove or pack frame)
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