General policies, guidelines, and a few rules
DMH Hiker Responsibilities
Wear proper footwear designed for hiking.
Stay with group unless released by hike leader.
Choose hikes appropriate for your ability. Eat a good breakfast the morning of a hike.
Bring adequate food, snacks and hydration for the hike.
* Carry the “ten essentials” for a hike in your backpack.
- Map, compass, GPS etc.
- Head protection – (hat, skull cap, etc.)
- Extra clothing – (rain gear, season appropriate jacket, etc.)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- First aid kit
- Fire starter – (matches, lighter etc.)
- Knife or all purpose tool
- Extra food – (energy bars or chews)
- Hydration – ( 1 liter or 32 oz for every 2 hours on trail)
- Emergency Shelter
DMH Hike Guidelines
Hike schedules will be posted monthly considering the suggestions submitted by hikers.
Hike classification guidelines:
Easy – less than 800’ elevation gain and/or 3 miles round trip hiking
Moderate – 800’ to 1600’ elevation gain and/or 4 miles round trip hiking
Difficult – more than 1600’ elevation gain and/or 5 miles roundtrip hiking
Disclaimer: These are guidelines only and classification may be affected by steepness or difficulty of the trail or other factors.
Hikers will leave the Denmark Congregational Church (70 E Main St Denmark, ME 04022) at 8:30 am on Fridays.
Hikers going directly to the trailhead should try to notify the hike leader by email or text.
Carpool: Whether gathering at the church or at the trailhead, carpool where possible.
Cancellations – Hikes will be cancelled if:
In the summer: high temperature in Fryeburg will be 85°or higher. The decision to cancel will also consider the dewpoint and the difficulty of the hike.
Steady rain is predicted for hike location.
In the winter: Hikes will be cancelled if: high temperature in Fryeburg will be 15° or below. The decision to cancel will also consider the wind chill number and the difficulty and location of the hike. Or significant snowfall is predicted. The decision to cancel will also consider the road conditions and parking availability at trailheads.
Hike Leader Responsibilities
- Take roster at church and/or trailhead.
- Make and bring 10-20 copies of trail map for distribution. Assign a lead and sweep at trailhead.
- Review route with hikers.
- Stop and gather group at all trail intersections.
- Take breaks for rest, hydration, group cohesion and layers adjustment as needed
- If a hiker must separate from the group, make sure she/he is accompanied by another hiker.
- Consult with other hikers, but be the final decision maker.
- Don’t leave parking lot at the end of the hike until all hikers are accounted for.
- Send brief hike report containing roster and pictures to jeffreysturgis54@gmail.com.
Scheduled Hikes will be listed on the website and posted to our website mailing list.
Hike Reports will be sent out as a Post and then stored and indexed on this page
