Our October 2013 exploration of Acadia National Park continued with a 3.2 mile loop hike around Jordan Pond. Parking is available near the boat ramp north of the Jordan House. I chose to hike in a counter-clockwise direction. The trail surface varies from natural ground to crushed stone to a split timber boardwalk. This trail is rated moderate by the park service.
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| Paved parking area |
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| Walk down the boat launch driveway to the trail |
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| Jordan Pond from the boat ramp |
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| The Bubbles |
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| Stone pavers cover a very short section of the trail near the Jordan Pond House |
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| The loop utilizes this carriage trail bridge to cross Jordan Stream |
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| Once across the stream the trail returns to dirt and gravel |
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| Beautiful views await the visitor at every turn of the trail |
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| This section of the trail is wide and flat |
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| The beginning of the "boardwalk" |
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| The boardwalk is not exactly the straightest path through the forest |
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| Some places narrow to a single plank |
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| Another view of Jordan Pond |
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| An elevated section of the boardwalk |
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| Hugging the shore on the boardwalk |
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| Another view of The Bubbles |
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| The northern end of Jordan Pond |
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| A hiker can make great time on the boardwalk compared to watching every step on the ground |
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| The winds have increased and roughened the smooth surface of the pond |
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| The northern end of the boardwalk |
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| Twisted like a pretzel |
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| The trail leads to a boulder field |
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| There is a trail through the boulders |
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| The water is very clear |
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| Trail along the water |
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| The only truss bridge along the trail is the last bridge in the clockwise direction |
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| This elevated bridge is the first one |
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| Looking south at Jordan Pond |
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| The middle bridge at the north end of the pond |
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| Jordan Pond and Mount Penobscot |
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| The last of the fall colors |
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| The trail crosses a drainage via a rock ditch |
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| Mount Penobscot |
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| Looking back north along the packed gravel trail |
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| Fall colors and a smooth trail |
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| Looking south at an open view of the pond |
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| One of the last trees to burst into color |
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| Looking across the pond toward the boat ramp |
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| A causeway crosses part of the pond |
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| The rock work is much straighter than the boardwalk |
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| Wetlands behind the causeway |
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| A final view of the Bubbles |
An entrance fee of $20 per vehicle is collected at Acadia National Park. The vehicle pass is valid for seven consecutive days. Another option is to purchase the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass valid for one year for $80. A lifetime Senior Pass is available for $10 for those 62 years of age or older.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm.
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