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Sunday, March 9, 2014

Jordan Pond Shore Trail - Acadia National Park


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.


Paved parking area

Walk down the boat launch driveway to the trail

Jordan Pond from the boat ramp

The Bubbles

Stone pavers cover a very short section of the trail near the Jordan Pond House

The loop utilizes this carriage trail bridge to cross Jordan Stream

Once across the stream the trail returns to dirt and gravel

Beautiful views await the visitor at every turn of the trail

This section of the trail is wide and flat

The beginning of the "boardwalk"

The boardwalk is not exactly the straightest path through the forest

Some places narrow to a single plank

Another view of Jordan Pond

An elevated section of the boardwalk

Hugging the shore on the boardwalk

Another view of The Bubbles

The northern end of Jordan Pond

A hiker can make great time on the boardwalk compared to watching every step on the ground

The winds have increased and roughened the smooth surface of the pond

The northern end of the boardwalk

Twisted like a pretzel

The trail leads to a boulder field

There is a trail through the boulders

The water is very clear

Trail along the water

The only truss bridge along the trail is the last bridge in the clockwise direction

This elevated bridge is the first one

Looking south at Jordan Pond

The middle bridge at the north end of the pond

Jordan Pond and Mount Penobscot

The last of the fall colors

The trail crosses a drainage via a rock ditch

Mount Penobscot

Looking back north along the packed gravel trail

Fall colors and a smooth trail

Looking south at an open view of the pond

One of the last trees to burst into color

Looking across the pond toward the boat ramp

A causeway crosses part of the pond

The rock work is much straighter than the boardwalk

Wetlands behind the causeway

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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