Blog Index

Monday, March 3, 2014

Mount Penobscot Trail - Acadia National Park


Our October 2013 trip to Acadia National Park continued with a short hike to the 1194 foot top of Penobscot Mountain.  The trail starts behind the Jordan Pond House on Park Loop Road.  Parking at the Jordan Pond House is limited to those eating in the restaurant.  Additional parking for hikers is available just down the road and a connecting trail joins the two.  At the trail head, a wooden sign post lists the trails and distances.  After heading down the path and crossing Jordan Stream, the trail splits in multiple directions.  The signpost at this location did not mention the Penobscot Mountain trail.  After following the wrong trail for a bit, some local hikers graciously told me to go back to the junction and follow the Spring Trail.  Improved signage at this junction would have saved me some time, but I would have missed a pleasant walk through the woods.  The 1.6 mile trail is not currently rated on the park service website, but other guides rate it at moderate due to the numerous stone steps.  



Stone stairs

Decked bridge over a dry streambed


Cross the carriage road and keep climbing


Iron handrails and wooden fencing


More stone stairs


Just a glimpse of the views to come


A tree crowds the trail


Jordan Pond


A bridge spans a gap in the rocks


Still more stairs


The views open up as the trail climbs higher


Jordan Pond House


The trail follows this natural path

Follow the sign pointing uphill at the trail junction

The trail is easy to follow in this section

The trail is harder to discern as the vegetation thins out

Pausing next to a glacial erratic


Islands and sea


Rock cairns have been set up as trail markers


The southern end of Jordan Pond


The trail continues higher


More rock cairns


The trail passes through a thicket


The trail continues across the glacially carved granite


Another view of Jordan Pond


Mountains roll down to the sea


Sargent Mountain to the north


Looking southwest across Northeast Harbor to Southwest Harbor


Bear, Sutton and Great Cranberry Islands

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment