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As many hikers that you will come across on your adventure in Maine are typically day hikers. They are those looking for a nice stroll or a mini adventure lasting only a day. Others have their profession as hiking and Maine is one of the most populated states for having hiking as a career. Regardless who you come across, please be aware of the goals and paths of those around you and what they are trying to achieve as they will do with you. As Maine is a very pleasant state, many of the tourists who come to Maine to plan a hiking trip, please be aware of the respect many of them have for the locals and the employees and park rangers who run these hiking paths.
Another area of concern is pollution. Maine is one of the best states in controlling both air and garbage pollution. Maine is considered a progressive state in dealing with pollution control and it can become very easy for just about anyone to pollute the trails and paths along the tough terrain. Be advised of the massive fines that are levied against all polluters who do such along the trail. Also, respect for the environment and the effort Maine puts into creating these hiking trails as a tourist destination is something that must be taken into consideration. Some park ranger stations either sell for cheap or give away environmentally friendly green garbage bags that park employees will pick up at designated locations. Maine is one of the only states to offer the green garbage bags, so just in case, pick one up and bring it with you.
Sometimes, you can leave your bag at a trail next to someone else's and those hikers who have gone before you will take over the duty of taking your trash down with them but you are expected to be on the honor system and do the same as others have done for you. This has been specifically designed so that you properly dispose of your garbage on the Maine trails and keep the parks and mountains clean.
If your planning on bringing water with you to wash your hands or whatnot, be sure to also ask for complimentary bio-degradable hand soap that is provided by either the park ranger station or some of your fellow hikers. As aforementioned, Maine has a huge policy on pollution and with these specific bio-degradable soap bars are find to use anywhere; in creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
As Maine has respect for the environment like none other, you'll become an environmentally aware hiker once you take on the trails on the Maine countryside. As your experience in this vast countryside will prove healthy and eye-opening enough, you'll fell as if you come away a better person with a higher respect for both the environment as well as the Maine trails.
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