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