Acadia National Park Multisport Experience, Maine

The Trip

Lying along the spectacular Maine coast waits for Acadia National Park. This coastal realm located on Mount Desert Island is famous for its dark evergreen forests, crystal blue lakes, granite cliffs, and towering peaks that rise above the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. From the summit of the Atlantic Coast’s highest point at Cadillac Mountain, you look out over this realm of forests and lakes stretching out to the sea below, with offshore islands reaching to the horizon. Mount Desert Island is characterized by charming seaside villages like Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor, with its quaint village shops and waterfront character. The sight of fishing fleets and sailing schooners passing Bass Harbor Lighthouse reminds visitors of an earlier time. Split by the fjord of Somes Sound, Mount Desert Island is a unique landscape found only along the coast of Maine. Fog along Otter Cliff and Thunder Hole only adds to the maritime character of the rockbound shore. The area attracted the wealthy of the Gilded Age, and visionaries like George Dorr and John D. Rockefeller worked hard to create Acadia National Park. These earlier residents created the miles of trails and carriage paths that are now enjoyed by millions of park visitors. Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island are linked by these beautiful roads and trails, making for an ideal Sierra Club multisport tour of this truly special place.

Our Sierra Club National Outing will operate from our base camp at Acadia’s Backwoods Campground. Each day we will travel from camp along the park’s paved roads and carriage paths. Highlights include Somes Sound, Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, and the spectacular Park Loop Road, which takes us past the Atlantic cliffs of Otter Point and Thunder Hole. There will be three days of hiking, two days of biking, and one day of kayaking. Hikes include the cliffside trail of Ocean Path and a summit climb of spectacular Cadillac Mountain. For early risers, Cadillac Mountain will show why Acadia is one of the most visited national parks in the nation. Along with the hiking, biking, and kayaking, we will enjoy a sunset sailing cruise.

Day 1: We will set up our camp, have dinner, enjoy getting to know each other, and review our plans for the week. Throughout the week we'll stay at Blackwoods Campground.

Day 2: We will begin our trip with a challenging hike up the “Ladder Trail” to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. As we ascend to the highest point along America’s Atlantic shoreline, we'll take in the surrounding seascape. After this exhilarating seven-mile start, we will take a relaxing hike at Sieur de Monts Spring and the Wild Gardens of Acadia.

Day 3: Today we will begin our day with a drive to see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seacoast. It is the first place the sun hits every day in the United States. Afterward, we will bike on the Carriage Roads through the heart of Acadia. We'll enjoy views of Witch Pond and Eagle Lake. 

Day 4: We will hike the Ocean Path. Along the way we will see the Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, and the cliffs of The Beehive, taking in some spectacular Atlantic coastline scenery.

Day 5: Kayaking the coastline of Acadia will give us a completely different perspective of the Park. We will be guided by professional sea kayak guides who will provide our boats and paddling gear in addition to a wealth of knowledge about the area. They are also sea kayak instructors if you want any tips for improving your skills.

Day 6: We'll spend another day on the carriage paths, cycling eleven miles on the around the Mountain carriage road. After a lunch that includes the famous popovers at the Jordan Pond House, we will bike around Jordan Pond. After this lovely day, we will go to Bar Harbor and have a schooner sunset cruise.

Day 7: Today we will hike South Bubble and the Bubble Rock loop. Then we walk the Bar Island Trail during a two-hour low-tide window before returning to Bar Harbor for lobster dinner.

Day 8: We will enjoy our breakfast and break camp for home.

Getting There

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island about 45 miles east of Bangor, Maine. The nearest large airport with rental car service is located in Portland, ME, which is more than 150 miles down the Maine coast.  Bar Harbor Airport is host to Cape Air, which flies once a day from Boston. Bangor International Airport is served by Delta, United, and Allegiant Airlines. From there, it is necessary to get transportation to Bar Harbor. If participants do not want to rent a car, they can reserve a space on the Bangor-Bar Harbor Shuttle, which runs from the Bangor airport to downtown Bar Harbor. The website for the Bangor-Bar Harbor Shuttle is: http://www.barharborbangorshuttle.com/

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

Our overnight accommodations for the week will be at Acadia National Park’s Blackwoods Campground. The leader will reserve a group site, which comes equipped with toilets, a picnic table, a fire ring, and a fresh water faucet.  Food will be prepared and cooked in camp, with one lunch at Jordan Pond House and one dinner in the village of Bar Harbor. On Sierra Club outings, all participants share equally in cooking and camp chores. Although we will be staying in a public campground, Leave No Trace camping principles will be followed.

Trip Difficulty

This Sierra Club hiking and biking tour is considered moderate. The bike rides will reach up to 15 miles over unpaved carriage paths. The elevation change ranges from flat to gently rolling. Rain and fog are possible, although early September normally has clear weather. Our day hikes will also be moderate in distance and elevation. The Ocean Path runs along the Atlantic cliffs, with some minor rock scrambling. The most difficult hike will be the summit climb of Cadillac Mountain. To prepare for this trip, participants should regularly bike this distance on dirt or gravel and regularly hike eleven miles with a 1,400’ elevation gain.

Equipment and Clothing

Participants will need to bring a properly tuned bicycle, bicycle helmet, bike clothes, bike gloves, the capability for carrying day items, and a water bottle. Bike rentals are available in Bar Harbor. For day hiking, please bring a day pack, properly fitted boots, water bottles, clothing for rain and cold, and day-use items. For overnight camping, participants will need a tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, eating utensils, and personal overnight belongings. The leader will provide the food, fuel, commissary gear, and master first-aid kit. A complete equipment list will be sent with a later information bulletin.

References

Carriage Roads:  go.nps.gov/Acadia

Acadia National Park Hiking and Biking Trail Map:  www.mapadventures.com

Hiking Guide: Hostettler, Kristin, Hiking Acadia National Park. Falcon Press.

Park Map: National Geographic “Trails Illustrated Map to Acadia National Park.”

Conservation

Acadia National Park was created out of private landholdings once owned by wealthy landowners like John D. Rockefeller. Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia is surrounded by towns like Bar Harbor or privately held farms and woodlots. This ownership pattern places pressure on park management in its efforts to protect the national park. New home and commercial development along the park boundary threaten the park’s forests, wildlife, and natural beauty. A day’s drive from the rapidly expanding population of the Atlantic seaboard also places enormous pressure on Acadia, with over two million visitors a year straining the park’s resources. On the other hand, Acadia is an excellent example of how a national park can be created from private land. Over the past century, Acadia National Park has been expanded and protected as one of the nation’s most beloved national parks.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.