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Acadia National Park, ME

Aug 13 - Aug 20, 2017 -- $1325 ★

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 bicycle for one, staying in Blackwoods frontcountry campground (hot showers nearby but not necessarily at the campground).


This trip will occur towards the end of the summer season when wild blueberries should be everywhere and insect activity should be subsiding, but the days are still long and the weather is still 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 mosquitoes, hopefully mitigated by ocean breezes. Here is the average August weather for nearby Bar Harbor, ME.



Trip Leaders

Deb Lusk
Bruce Cannon


Cost

$1325 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, any restaurant meals and gratuities. 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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Itinerary
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Itinerary


Sunday, August 13, 2017

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, August 14, 2017

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 the Blackwoods Campground general parking area, Acadia National Park

Leave your base camp equipment in the vehicle, grab your day pack and begin hiking Northbound on the Quarry Trail

Hike 0.5 miles on the Quarry Trail to the Otter Cove Trail

Hike 0.6 miles on the Otter Cove Trail to the Ocean Path

Hike 0.5 miles to Thunder Hole, a rocky inlet whose wave action can send sea spray 40 feet high when the tide is right.

Hike 0.9 miles to Sand Beach. Wading and swimming is available here (if you dare)

Hike 1.3 miles around Great Head on the Great Head Trail

Hike 0.4 miles on the Satterlee Trail to the Park Road

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 to Gorham Mountain, elevation 525'

Hike 2.0 miles back to the vehicle

Shuttle to Blackwoods Campground Group Site (TBD). We will be camped here the entire week.

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 7.6

Possible bailout: Park Loop Road


Tuesday, August 15, 2017

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.

Drive to Bass Harbor.

Drive to the Ship Harbor Nature Trail

Hike 1.5 round trip miles on the Ship Harbor Nature Trail.

Drive to the Wonderland Trail

Hike 1.5 round trip miles on the Wonderland Trail.

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 15.2

Possible bailout: ME Route 102


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Take the free Park Shuttle to the Brown Mountain Gatehouse

Hike 1.0 clockwise miles around Hadlock Pond

Hike 0.3 miles on the Hadlock Ponds Trail to the Park Road

Hike 0.7 miles on the Hadlock Ponds Trail past Hadlock Brook Bridge to the Maple Spring Trail

Hike 0.9 miles on the Maple Spring Trail to the Grandgent Trail

Hike 0.5 uphill miles on the Grandgent Trail to the summit of Sargent Mountain, elvation 1373'

Hike 0.5 miles along Sargent South Ridge to the Hadlock Brook Trail.

Hike 1.4 miles along the Hadlock Brook Trail to the Maple Spring Trail.

Hike 0.9 miles on the Maple Spring Trail to the Park Road

Hike 0.9 miles back to the Park Road at the Brown Mountain Gatehouse

Take the free Park Shuttle to Blackwoods Campground

Miles today: 7.1. Total miles: 22.3


Thursday, August 17, 2017

Today we will be biking along the famous Acadia carriage roads with moderate elevation changes.

Take the free Park Shuttle to either Bar Harbor or Northeast Harbor

Rent bicycles (included in trip cost) for a half day from either Island Bike or Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop

Bike along the historic and well-graded Acadia carriage roads ... your guides will determine the route based upon group desires and abilities.

Take the park shuttle bus back to Blackwoods Campground

Miles today: About 20.0. Total miles: Biking - 20.0, Hiking - 22.3/p>


Friday, August 18, 2017

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 Blackwoods 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'

Take the free park shuttle to the Wild Gardens of Acadia

Spend between 15-30 minutes on a self-guided tour of the Wild Gardens of Acadia

Hike 0.8 miles on the Kane Path to the Ladder Trail

Hike 0.4 steep uphill miles on the Ladder Trail to the Schiff Path, elevation 800'. Note: As you might suspect, there are a few actual metal ladders attached to rocks that you will be climbing.

Hike 0.8 miles on the Schiff Path to the Emery Path

Hike 0.5 downhill miles on the Emery Path back to the Nature Center

Take the free park shuttle back to the Blackwoods Campgroun

Miles today: 8.9. Total miles: Hiking 31.2, Biking 20

Possible bailout: Cadillac Mountain Summit


Saturday, August 19, 2017

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 Parking Area along Park Loop Road near Jordan Pond, North Bubble and South Bubble.

Hike 0.4 miles to Jordan Pond on the Jordan Pond Carry Trail

Hike 0.6 miles over South Bubble (elevation 768') on Bubble Trail to the Bubbles Divide Trail

Hike 0.1 miles on the Bubbles Divide Trail to the Bubbles Trail

Hike 0.3 miles on the Bubbles Trail to the summit of North Bubble, elevation 872'

Hike 0.9 miles on the Bubbles Trail to Conners Nubble

Turn back around and hike about 1.0 miles on a carriage path to the Jordan Pond Carry Trail

Hike 0.5 miles on the Jordan Pond Carry Trail back to the vehicle

 

End of hiking portion of trip

Miles today: 2.3 or 3.8. Total miles: Hiking 33.4 or 35.0, Biking 20

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, August 20, 2017

Free breakfast in Hotel

We will drop you at the airport


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