By Allen Crabtree

BN Columnist

Can we drive to New Hampshire from Maine to hike?

That is a good question, and I’d appreciate your input. Several of our Maine hikers would like to drive to New Hampshire and climb some of the great mountains there. As well, some of our New Hampshire hikers would like to cross the border into Maine for hiking here. The question that has been asked of me is “With the “Stay at Home” orders in the two states and restrictions on travel, may we cross the border to go hiking?” 

I called Augusta and was told by the 211 operator that going for a day hike in New Hampshire would be considered a “Non Essential” activity and the quarantine when coming back to Maine would be required.

Denmark Mountain Hiker Donna Morton spoke with the Saco Rangers’ Station in Conway, N.H. on the Kancamagus who said the same thing. He also said that they got 18-inches of new snow last week so we should stick to Maine.

I am confused, however, because hiking is considered an “Essential” activity according to Governor Mills’ “Stay Healthy at Home” executive order that requires that Maine people remain at home unless to leave for an essential job or an essential activity. 

“Essential personal activities include the following with relation to an individual, their family, household members, pets, or livestock:

…Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running or biking, but, only in compliance with the social gathering restriction in Executive Order 14 and all applicable social distancing guidance published by the U.S. and Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

The federal CDC “Slow the Spread” Guidelines for COVID-19 to April 30, “direct Americans to…avoid discretionary travel.”

As of April 6, governors and state agencies in at least 15 states have placed restrictions on out-of-state travelers through executive orders or public health mandates to reduce the transmission of the novel coronavirus. All 15 states require some out-of-state travelers to quarantine for two weeks, unless the travel was undertaken for essential purposes or to support critical industries.

Some states have requested that all out-of-state travelers quarantine for two weeks, while others have placed restrictions on travelers from specific areas in the United States.

A New York Times article on April 13 stated in part: “The Constitution guarantees the right to enter one state and leave another, but jurisdictions can require quarantines or statements of purpose…Here is the situation as of April 10 in each of the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.”

Maine. Driving restrictions: Gov. Janet Mills has ordered all travelers arriving in Maine, except for those providing essential services, to self-quarantine for 14 days. Visitors are also advised not to travel to Maine from a Covid-19 hot spot or if they are displaying symptoms of the coronavirus. A “Stay Healthy at Home” directive prohibits travel except for essential activity.

So, what is the correct action that we should take?  How can we be sure that we are not visiting a Covid-19 hot spot on our trip to the mountains, which would require a self-quarantine when we get back home? The stay-at-home orders will be in force for at least several more weeks, and my advice is to confine your hikes to local spots on your own side of the border in the meantime.

Trail Status

I’ve received e-mails from some of our Denmark Mountain Hikers about three local mountains and wanted to pass them along to you:

Diane Sinclair reports that Notch Mountain in Porter is open. “There’s a small parking lot on Route 160 just beyond Day’s firewood operation on the opposite side. If you decide to give it a visit remember it is a WET trail.”

Donna Morton reported that All Trails shows Burnt Meadow Mountain in Brownfield is closed, but we’ve not been able to confirm this. I’m not sure who the steward to the trails there is, who would be involved in a closure. If anyone knows, let me know.

Allison Cooke, property owner for the Peary Mountain trails in Brownfield, writes “We are getting a bit concerned as many hikers are coming here with so many trails closed,” and she also reported that someone had taken to marking trees with red paint blazes without consulting her or her husband. 

Trailhead parking lots are still full, including the Pleasant Mountain trails which are closed, other LELT properties and Lovell Land Trust properties, Douglas Mountain in Sebago, Mount Sabattus in Lovell and Mount Cutler in Hiram are open for hiking. Please remember to practice social distancing while on the trail. If the parking lot is full when you get there, go to another trailhead.