The Acadia National Park has some amazing wild scenic hikes and views. Some are on the quiet side of the island (Mt Desert Island – MDI) and some are on the busy side. The Jordan Pond Trail is on the busy side and in the Middle Peaks section. And is it busy.
When you think of the perfect location, the Jordan Pond area comes to mind with the pristine clear water surrounded by the dense, lush forest and majestic mountains.
The pond is 150 feet deep and has an area of 187 acres and shoreline of 3.6 miles. It also is the clearest water in Maine with visibility up to 60 feet. The pond was formed by glaciers, is surrounded by mountains, and has a small dam at one end to limit the outflow.
It kind of reminds me of the old Mountain Lake of Pembroke Virginia (back where we used to live), except this pond actually has water!
We arrived at about 9am and it was already starting to get busy. When we finished at noon, the trailhead was crazy busy. People 10 deep either going to the restaurant, gift shop, or the trail.
What could be a better way to spend a morning hiking with friends and taking along a lunch for after the hike. Although the area does have an incredibly popular restaurant on site. Probably the best restaurant in any National Park, according to much of the literature. The waiting list can be very long for their specialty popovers. Maybe next time.
Knowing about the long wait, we elected to bring our lunch and eat on the banks of the Jordan Pond.
Along with us on this hike are the Warners, Randy and Pam of the well known Roadrunner blog “warnerrvnews.blogspot.com.” They have done this same hike some years ago and enjoyed it then as well. It was great to chat with them in the car on the way to the park, on the bus ride to the trail, and of course on the 3.5 mile loop around the large pond. I would have labeled it a lake for sure (not a pond), but I was not asked.
The trail starts out with a wide dirt and gravel path that winds all along the pond with large, rocky banks. Then at the halfway point, the trail turns rocky. Very rocky with some large boulders to climb over and around. Very enjoyable.
At the 2.5 mile point the trail runs through a bog, so the park service has built up some elevated planks. We walked the plank! Argh matey! Shiver my timbers!
Some were a little tricky as there were large gaps between the planks. It was all a great experience.
Another super Acadia hike is in the books! Thanks for following along.
God Bless.
Nice post…. Beautiful photos Randy! Shiver me timbers..
Thanks Marcy! Our stay here is about over and will soon be heading back in your direction.