Doug Jones, a Maine Sunday Telegram photographer, and I also were compelled by professional necessity to spend a warm, sunny day in the great outdoors. We always climb a mountain, but usually we wait until May or even June. Climbing this early in spring had some noticeable benefits. Although the gates at most state parks don't open until May 15, visitors are welcome throughout the year, says Steve Curtis, regional manager for the southern half of the state. In fact, early spring can be one of the nicest times to hike in southern and coastal Maine, when there are few people and the views are unobstructed by leaves.
Proper footwear is important in Spring hiking when trails are wet and muddy.
The state's beach parks, such as Crescent in Cape Elizabeth, Ferry in Saco, Popham in Phippsburg and Reid in Georgetown, can be wonderfully uncrowded at this time of year. But that doesn't mean the trails aren't open. Camden Hills State Park, for example, attracts visitors every day if the weather is in any way cooperative, says Gordon Bell, park manager for 23 years. For several years, the 5,700-acre park has attracted more daily visitors, including 215,205 in 1998, than any other state park. Camden Hills is known best for its 30 miles of hiking trails, its spectacular ocean views and the Mount Battie auto road, which allows visitors to drive to the tower of that nearby summit.