What's Next?: Long Weekend in Acadia: Sunday & Monday

Monday, September 3, 2018

Long Weekend in Acadia: Sunday & Monday

Sunday:

Sunday morning, I got up early and headed out for a run at 6:00 am. It was overcast and very humid. I headed up Route 102 to the Echo Lake turnoff and then up the Canadia Cliff trails over Beech, down the West Ridge Trail, along Long Pond, up the Perpendicular Trail to Mansell and then along through Great Notch to Bernard. from there, I looped around on the Bernard Mountain Trail and back via Mill Field, Gilley Field and Lurvey Spring Road to the pavement, where I retraced my steps to the campground.

Legs were a bit heavy from 6 hours on my feet hiking on Saturday, but it was great to get out! Saw three deer, one other runner, climbed lots of stone steps, saw lots of lush green moss and mountain cranberries, enjoyed some rocky, rooty, rugged terrain with a few misty morning views and quiet trails. A bit too much road to and fro - 5 miles or so total - but otherwise a great loop! (14.0 miles)

Misty morning views atop Beech

Low clouds over Long Pond

Stone steps on the Perpendicular Trail

I know there's a view here...

One huge shroom!

Clearing skies headed down into Great Notch

Nice cushy, moss-lined trail between Mansell and Bernard

Lots of gorgeous mountain cranberry

While I was running, Sam and Ryan had a morning fire and made pancakes and bacon. Yum!

After I had some of the aforementioned pancakes and bacon and took a shower, I tried to make the kiddo smile by taking selfies ;)

Then it was off for a late morning hike! While Saturday's hike was wonderful, it was also replete with many other people, so we decided to stick to the quiet side for Sunday's hike. We chose to explore some of the trails near Lower Hadlock Pond that are maintained by the Northeast Harbor Village Improvement Society (whew!). We were pleasantly surprised by these less traveled, gorgeous, winding trails through moss-filled forest. Some really nice hiking!

We took the Asticou Trail to the edge of Lower Hadlock Pond; it was like a mossy fairy forest! So pretty! Once at the edge of the pond, we took the park trail around the perimeter and then meandered back on some of the other NHVIS trails - Reservoir and Harbor Hill Trail to the Steep Trail and across the street to the Asticou Stream Trail and back to the car. Really truly lovely all around, and we only saw a handful of people. Perfect! (3.5 miles hiked)

A forest of mosses

Crossing the dam at Lower Hadlock Pond

Along Lower Hadlock Pond

Crossing the upper edge of the pond

Exploring the beach

Lily pads

Back on the NHVIS trails. Neat arrows throughout

Moss forest!

We took the Steep Trail

Fall

Across the street to Asticou Stream Trail

With a glorious view up into the Harbor!

Ryan went out for a run later in the afternoon while Sam and I played cornhole and relaxed around the campsite. Then we ordered pizza to eat by the fire. We finished up the evening with a big blaze that would have made Hairball proud :)

Cheers to summer!

Monday:

This morning we all slept in and then made quick work of packing up camp so that we could head back into Bar Harbor for a walk out to Bar Island before we headed home. Ryan and I have never walked out to the island before and you have to time it right with the tides, as obviously you don't want to get stranded over there, but today worked out perfectly with tidal timing! It was warm and muggy and there were lots of people doing the same thing, although you can't tell from our carefully crafted photos ;)

We did take an unofficial trail that wound along the perimeter of the island, on which we only saw a few people, but the main trail up to Bar Island summit was quite busy. We did see 12 deer out there! I wonder if they stay out there or travel back and forth? Interesting, indeed. (2.8 miles walked)