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Acadia National Park, ME

Jun 19 - Jun 26, 2016 -- $1350 ★

Maine's Acadia National Park is the first National Park to be created on the Eastern Seabord, boasting the highest coastal peak (Cadillac Mountain) on the Atlantic Coast all the way down to Rio de Janiero. It covers the lions share of Mount Desert Island, but shares the island with the quaint and touristy vacation destination Bar Harbor.


Our trip will explore several terrains and eco-systems within the park that include rugged and steep mountain peaks, the Atlantic seashore, wooded forests, historic carriage roads, 338 species of birds and freshwater lakes. We will hike for 5 days and canoe/kayak for one, staying in Blackwoods frontcountry campground (hot showers nearby but not necessarily at the campground).


This trip spans Summer Solstice, a great time to visit Acadia before the onslaught of tourists arrive and while the days are long and warm.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the mid-70s and nighttime temperatures in the low 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with a reasonable chance of rainfall and possibly lots of black flies, hopefully mitigated by ocean breezes. Here is the average June weather for nearby Bar Harbor, ME.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Christopher Frey - Propsective Guide


Cost

$1350 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Bangor Airport (BGR), as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 5 nights in the National Park Campground, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from Bangor and Acadia, permits, insurance, satellite phone and awesome guides.



Note


Although daily mileage appears to be moderate and we are day hiking only, do not underestimate the difficulty of this trip. Many of the hikes traverse vertical rock scrambles with steep precipices and ladders. Furthermore, some trails may be full of rocks, roots, mud or all of these things. We find that terrain is the most difficult impediment most participants face. And then it might rain.


Fortunately we will only be carrying around 10 pounds on our backs, plus we expect almost 17 hours of daylight, plenty of time to complete our daily mileage or even do optional extra hiking.


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Important Note
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Itinerary


Sunday, June 19, 2016

Drive or fly into Bangor Airport (BGR). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

We'll pick you up at the airport and shuttle to Country Inn at The Mall, 936 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, 207-941-0200

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

"Before" measurements taken

Buy last minute and forgotten items at LL Bean Outlet Store, 534 Stillwater Ave., Bangor, ME 04401, 207-942-0146, open 'til 9PM

Option 2: Epic Sports, 6 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401, 800-466-2296, 207-941-5670, open 10AM-7PM

Go out for welcome dinner at restaurant (TBD). Meal cost not included in trip cost.



Monday, June 20, 2016

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Free Breakfast at hotel

Shuttle to Otter Point parking area, Acadia National Park

Begin hiking Northbound on the Ocean Path Trail

Hike 1.4 miles to Thunder Hole, a rocky inlet whose wave action sends sea spray 40 feet high.

Hike 0.8 miles to Sand Beach

 

Optional:

Hike 0.2 miles to the Beehive Trail

Hike 0.6 miles on the Beehive Trail to the summit of the Beehive at 505' for sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, you will be climbing on iron rungs hammered into the rock face.

Hike 0.6 miles on the Gorham Mountain Trail back to Sand Beach

 

Hike 2.2 miles on the Ocean Path Trail back to Otter Point

Shuttle to Blackwoods Campground and set up camp in two adjacent campsites (TBD). We will be camped here the entire week.

Miles today: 5.8. Total miles: 5.8

Possible bailout: Park Loop Road


Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Shuttle to the Acadia Mountain Parking Lot on Route 102 on the West Side of the park

Hike 0.1 miles to the St. Sauveur Trail, elevation 250'

Hike 1.0 miles to the summit of St. Sauveur Mountain, elevation 679'

Hike 0.4 miles on the St. Sauveur Trail to Valley Peak, elevation 500'

Hike 1.1 miles on the Valley Peak Trail to Man O' War Brook Fire Rd, elevation 320'

Hike 1.0 uphill miles on the Acadia Mountain Trail to the summit of Acadia Mountain, elvation 681'

Hike 1.0 miles on the Acadia Mountain Trail back to the parking lot.

 

Optional: The Beach Cliff Loop

This hike is not suitable for anybody who has a fear of heights or who isn't steady on their feet.

his trail is sometimes closed between March 15 and August 15 for peregrine falcon nesting

Hike 0.4 miles on the Beach Cliff Trail to the Beach Cliff Loop, elevation 400'. There are great views from here.

Hike the 0.4 mile Beach Cliff Loop, elevation 485'

Hike 1.0 miles on the Canada Cliffs Trail back to the parking lot

 

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground

Miles today: 6.4. Total miles: 12.2

Possible bailout: ME Route 102


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Today we will be hiking along carriage roads with moderate elevation changes. Watch out for bicycles.

Shuttle to Eagle Lake Parking Area on ME Route 233

Hike 2.8 miles on Aunt Betty Pond Carriage Road

Turn left and hike 1.2 miles past Seven Bridges to the Around Mountain Carriage Road

Turn left and hike 0.2 miles to the Eagle Lake Carriage Road

Turn right and hike 3.8 miles on the Eagle Lake Carriage Road, hugging the shore, back to the parking area.

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 20.2

Possible bailout: ME 233.


Thursday, June 23, 2016

Today we will be canoeing and/or kayaking (your choice).

Shuttle to National Park Canoe & Kayak Rentals, 145 Pretty Marsh Road, Mount Desert Island, 207-244-5854. Arrive by 8AM

Spend 4 hours canoeing / kayaking around Long Pond

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground

The rest of the day is unstructured time


Friday, June 24, 2016

Today we will hike Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the Eastern Seabord and the classic Acadia hike

Shuttle a vehicle to Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead on the Park Loop Road (we may do this the night before if overnight parking is permitted)

Begin hiking at the campground

Hike 0.7 miles to Otter Creek Road, Route 3, elevation 180'

Hike 1.0 miles on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail to the Eagle's Crag Loop Trail, elevation 600'

Hike 0.2 miles on the Eagle's Crag Loop Trail to the summit of Eagle's Crag, elevation 700'

Hike 1.1 miles on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail to the Cannon Brook Trail, elevation 1000'

Hike 1.2 miles on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, elevation 1530'

Hike 2.2 miles on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail to the Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead Parking Area, elevation 420'

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground

Miles today: 6.4. Total miles: 26.6

Possible bailout: Cadillac Mountain Summit


Saturday, June 25, 2016

Break camp and pack up vehicles

 

Option #1:

Shuttle to the Precipice Trail. The Precipice Trail is the most difficult and exciting trail in the park, reminiscent of the Italian Via Ferrata and should be taken seriously. Numerous iron rungs, ladders, handrails, and wooden bridges help hikers at the more difficult and exposed sections so you should be comfortable with scrambling and have no fear of heights.

Hike 0.9 miles on the Precipice Trail to the summit of Champlain Mountain, elevation 1058'

Hike 0.6 miles on the Champlain North Ridge Trail to the Orange & Black Path, elevation 540'

Hike 0.3 miles on the Orange & Black Trail back to Park Loop Road.

Hike 0.5 miles on the Park Loop Road back to the parking lot.

 

Option #2:

Shuttle to the Jordan Pond Parking Area along Park Loop Road.

Hike 3.3 miles around Jordan Pond on the Jordan Pond Path

 

End of hiking portion of trip

Miles today: 2.3 or 3.3. Total miles: 28.9 or 29.9

Shuttle back to Country Inn at The Mall, 936 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, 207-941-0200

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, June 26, 2016

Free breakfast in Hotel

We will drop you at the airport


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