National Park Service Acadia National Park U.S. Department of the Interior BBeavereaver LLogog s k n a B y TThehe oofficialfficial nnewspaperewspaper ooff s t e B AAcadiacadia NNationalational PParkark y b o t o SSeptember/Octobereptember/October 22009009 h P Photo by Betsy Banks Paths into the Past If all the maintained trails in Acadia National Park were also standardized the design of rock cairns to mark trails to placed end to end, they would stretch from Bar Harbor to summits; Bates cairns still line the Gorham Mountain Trail Welcome to Acadia! Bangor and back again, with 20+ miles of trail left over. These and other east-side trails. trails connect the park to neighboring towns, travel along grassy meadows and scenic shorelines, skirt rocky cliffs, and Another skilled pathmaker, Rudolph Ernest Brunnow, climb granite mountains. With a long history and exceptional focused his path-building efforts on some of the island’s craftsmanship, Acadia’s trail system is one of the finest in the most rugged terrain. He designed the park’s iconic Precipice National Park System. Today we’re working to maintain the Trail, as well as the Beehive Trail, using iron rungs and ladders trails for future generations. to lead hikers up steep cliffs otherwise passable only by climbers. Brunnow’s trails aren’t for the faint-of-heart; with Many trails on Mount Desert Island predate the establishment exposed routes and vertical climbs, the trails challenge even of the park in 1916. Prior to European settlement, the experienced hikers. Wabanaki transported their canoes along carry paths connecting ponds and streams with the ocean. In the late This high-quality trail work was continued in the 1930s by Superintendent Sheridan Steele. Photo by 18th and 19th centuries, European settlers created trails for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Based in two island Peter Travers. subsistence activities like hunting, logging, and fishing and, camps, CCC workers maintained existing trails, built new As we enjoy this wonderful park today, later, for early tourism. These trails provided a framework for trails, and removed trees and shrubs to improve views. You it’s hard to imagine a National Park village improvement associations, whose path committees can see their exceptional work along the Ocean Path, Beech System without Acadia. Without the built and maintained 250 miles of hiking trails in the late 19th Cliff Trail, and Perpendicular Trail. efforts of private citizens, that might and early 20th centuries. have been the case. From the first Today the park works hard to maintain the legacy of donations of land in the early 1900s To help finance some of these trails, wealthy summer residents yesterday’s pathbuilders. In the late 1990s, Friends of Acadia to the hard work from thousands funded memorial paths that honored—and were named established the Acadia Trails Forever program, making of volunteers today, the tradition of for—individuals. One of these paths was built in memory of Acadia the first national park with an endowed trail system. stewardship has continued throughout Waldron Bates, a skilled pathmaker who used stone steps, With funding from this program and the assistance of many the park’s history. retaining walls, and other features to create “easy passage volunteers, Acadia’s trail crew ensures that you can follow through the wonderful rock scenery that had offered in the in the footsteps of the Wabanaki, early settlers, and outdoor Filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton past almost insurmountable obstacles to ordinary walkers” enthusiasts of another era as you explore Acadia National Duncan explore this tradition in (Bar Harbor VIA Twentieth Annual Report, 1909). Bates Park for yourself. the new series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, which airs on What’s in a name? public television beginning September Acadia’s trail crew is replacing some of the signs along the 27. While making the series, Burns said, trail system to return to the historic names of trails. Many “We discovered stories of remarkable original names refl ect a trail’s history, either honoring people from every conceivable the person in whose memory the trail was created or background. What they had in common refl ecting its unique construction (for example, “path” was a passion to save some precious refers to a highly constructed trail, usually on the east portion of the land they loved so that side of the island). Therefore, Dorr those of us who followed might have Mountain East Face Trail becomes the same chance to fall in love with Emery Path and Schiff Path; Gorge that place. Without them, parks would Trail becomes Gorge Path. not exist.” Until maps catch up with this eff ort, Whether you’re here for recreation or trail names on your maps may be solitude, vacation or rejuvenation, we diff erent from the names posted on hope that you find your own piece of trail signs. If you have any doubts, ask Acadia to love. a park ranger for assistance. The challenging Precipice Trail is not for the faint-of-heart hiker. Photo by NPS/ –Superintendent Sheridan Steele Sheridan Steele. Pages 2-3 Happenings Pages 4-6 Programs Page 8 Tips Find out what’s going on this month. See Whether you are feeling adventurous and Wondering what’s the best time to explore Important Information. 2-3 pages 2-3 for details about park closures, fee want to explore the park on foot or would the intertidal zone or watch sunset from Ranger-Led Programs . 4-6 information, and facilities and services that will rather sit back and relax while you learn, you Cadillac Mountain? Looking for ideas to help help you plan your trip. Learn more about things can find a ranger-led program to suit your protect the park’s plants and animals as you Park Partners. 7 to do and important tips that will help you have interests. Park rangers offer walks, talks, explore? Check out the tide chart, sunrise/ Tips and Tide Chart. 8 a safe visit. hikes, boat tours, amphitheater programs, sunset times, and tidepooling tips on page 8. and more. Join us on a program today! Closures Fall Explorations in Acadia Construction Activities Many projects are underway this year to improve park facilities. Through Hiking October, you may encounter short More than 120 miles of hiking trails offer something for delays and temporary closures of everyone. Pick up a guide to the most popular trails, rated by some roads and parking areas on difficulty, at the visitor center or campgrounds. Always carry the west side of the park. For more a detailed hiking map, available for purchase at the visitor information, inquire at the visitor center, for longer hikes. center. Junior and Senior Ranger Programs Nightly Closures Learn about the park while you complete the Junior Ranger program activities and earn a certificate and patch. A Senior To protect park resources, the Ranger program is available for ages 18 and over. Purchase following areas are closed at dark. these activity books at park information centers. • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is closed to visitors and vehicles. Ranger-Led Programs • Carroll Homestead, Lake Wood, Join us for boat cruises, evening programs, mountain hikes, NPS/Todd M. Edgar NPS/Todd and Thompson Island Picnic Area short talks, and nature walks. For a schedule, see pages 4–5. are closed to vehicles. Walking and Biking Scenic Drives More than 45 miles of historic carriage roads are available Trail Closures Drive 27 miles on the Park Loop Road and Cadillac Mountain for exploration by foot, bike, or horseback. Maps and Road to view the spectacular scenery of Acadia. Stop to stroll guidebooks are available. Motorized vehicles, except motorized The East Face Trail (newly renamed down a path or read a wayside exhibit. A self-guided audio wheelchairs, are prohibited on carriage roads. Horses are the Orange and Black Path) remains tour of Acadia and the surrounding area, covering 56 miles, is not permitted on some sections. Bicycles are not permitted closed due to earthquake damage. available for purchase at the visitor center. on hiking trails or private carriage roads. Bicycle rentals are available in nearby communities. Swimming Ocean temperatures at Sand Beach rarely rise above 55° F Self-guided walks include Carroll Homestead (easy ½ mile), (13° C). For warmer water, try Echo Lake on Route 102. Many Jordan Pond Nature Trail (easy 1-mile loop), and Sieur de other ponds and lakes on the island are public water supplies Monts Spring (easy ½-mile loop). An accessible trail atop where swimming, wading, and pets are prohibited. Please Cadillac Mountain offers access to a portion of the park’s respect posted regulations. highest summit. Facilities Nature Center: Discover Acadia’s natural resources and learn how they are protected. Located at Sieur de Monts Spring. Hulls Cove Visitor Center Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 12. Watch the 15-minute orientation film and plan your visit Abbe Museum: Explore the story of Maine’s earliest people, with a three-dimensional map of the island. Books, maps, from 12,000 years ago to today. The museum is privately and information are available. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in operated and charges a nominal fee. Located at Sieur de September and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in October. Monts Spring. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 12. Wild Gardens of Acadia: Investigate native flora in typical Campgrounds habitats. Located at Sieur de Monts Spring. Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds are located on Mount Desert Island. Reservations are recommended at Blackwoods Picnic Areas from May 1 to October 31 (877-444-6777).