Maine Trail Finder has been working to make it easier for all Mainers to search and discover the most appropriate trails to meet their interests and abilities, with new search options and map features for finding and describing accessible trails.
Now we need your help!
Photos can capture trail conditions, surfaces, barriers and access better than words ever can. In order to help people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility challenges, we want to add photos of parking lots, trailhead access points, trail surfaces and potential barriers (like railroad track crossings, curbs, gaps, and large roots) to as many trails as we can.
“I know I tend to look for pictures more than anything to make an informed decision [on which trail to visit]. People don't tend to know what is truly accessible and that can also vary widely for each individual. Descriptions are a great starting point and for some that is their only method of information but I do find visuals to be very helpful.”
- Enock Glidden, Adaptive Athlete & MTF Accessibility Ambassador
That’s where you come in. If you add a photo in any of the listed categories to a trail rated as “Easy” on Maine Trail Finder between now and the end of August, we will enter you into a weekly raffle to win a free Maine Trail Finder hat! If you enter the GPS coordinates of the photo in the caption, we’ll give you an extra entry that week.
We’ll announce winners every Friday so you’ll have multiple chances to win!
They don't have to be pretty, they just have to be in focus and show elements of the trail that will help people decide if it's the right trail for them!
To add a photo to a trail on Maine Trail Finder, first sign up for a free Maine Trail Finder user account.
Then find the trail on our Find Trails map and click it to go to the detailed trail page. On the bottom of the photo, click “Add a Photo” and you will be taken to a page where you can upload your photo. Add the GPS coordinates of the photo into the Image Caption for an extra chance to win!
**Hint: To only look for trails rated as easy, select "Easy" in the "Difficulty" pulldown menu and then click "Search" on the Find Trails Filter...or just click here!
If you win, we will email you at the email address associated with your user account.
While you’re on the site, check out the other elements of our accessibility work including a filter for fully accessible trails, new map features, a visual guide to trail surfaces, and guest posts and trip reports on MTF Stories.
Photos must be added to a trail that is listed on Maine Trail Finder and rated Easy.
Photos must be of one of the following:
Contest runs through September 3.
Every photo equals one entry in the raffle. An extra entry can be earned if the GPS coordinates for the photo are added under the photo caption.
Winners will be chosen every Friday and notified through email.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
