11/9/09 Eliot Mountain and Jordan Pond

We were going to just hike around home and have an easy day but it was too nice not to go to Acadia. We still did an easy hike, starting from the Jordan Pond House on the Asticou Trail ( mostly flat) which we took to the Eliot Mtn. trail which we took to the top ( a gradual climb up a low mtn.) and down to Hunters Brook ( pretty much straight down but good footing). We took Hunters Brook Trail ( which kelley likes a lot because of the water) back to the Asticou and then back to Jordan Pond. We then did the trail that loops around the pond -mostly flat except for a section of large boulders near the north end on the west trail-back to the parking lot. Just uner 3 1/2 hours. Pictures are from previous hikes.



Kelley Eliot Mtn. Trail


Harbor Brook Trail

Jordan Pond

11/8/09 Black Mountain/Donnell Pond

Another beautiful day. Started a little cloudy but cleared and got up to 60 degrees. We started at the trailhead on Black Mountain Road with the intention of bypassing the peaks and taking the trail to Redmans Beach ( on Donnell Pond ) which we had not yet done. The trails here often confuse me and we again ended up on Black Mtn. I eventually found the trail towards Caribou Mtn. which dropped fairly steadily ( I couldn't help thinking about climbing back up on our return) until we came to the trail to Redmans Beach. This was a very nice trail, gently rolling through woods and often beside a stream. The beach was beautiful and there are several nice campsites there. We returned the way we came. A long somewhat strenuous hike but no problems for Kelley. Just under 5 hours. Excuse the fuzzy pictures I am having camera problems.


Black Mtn. Trail


Black Mtn.

Trail to Caribou Mtn.



Redmans Beach

Campsite Redmans Beach

Kelley Donnell Pond

Dorr Mountain

A cold but sunny day. Many icy spots on the granite sheets that slowed us down somewhat as we had to work around them. Even sure footed Kelley was sliding and quickly learned to avoid the icy patches. We started at the nature center and went up Kurt Diederich's Climb and then onto the East Face Trail to the summit. These trails are mostly open with many nice views. We descended via the North Ridge Trail which was the hardest part of the hike because of it's steepness and the ice and then crossed over Kebo Mtn. ( a very pleasant trail) and down to the loop road. A right turn and a couple of minutes walking and you reach the Strath Eden Trail ( another nice walk on a leaf strewn path with no ice ) which goes back to the Hemlock and towards the parking lot. We wanted to take the Jesup Path instead but that end was closed because it was under water. At the end of the Jesup near the nature center they have built 700 feet of boardwalk and plan to complete it next year and we checked that out-very nice. 3 1/2 hours



Kurt Diederich's Climb

New Boardwalk End of Jesup Path

11/5/09 Walden Parke Preserve

This is a project of the Bangor Land Trust and abuts the Bangor City Forest. Between them there are several miles of trails and all about 4 miles from home. Kelley and I went here today because of a forecast for rain and snow. There is lots of water for Kelley to enjoy and today she met another dog she played with for awhile.

11/4/09 Great Notch and Long Pond Trails

We parked at Long Pond and took the short Cold Brook Trail to Gilley Field to begin the Great Notch Trail. This trail rise gradually to the notch with some sections of exposed roots and rocks but mostly good footing. From the notch we descended on the trail to the junction with the Long Pond Trail which is 2.9 miles from the parking area. It had only taken us an hour to get to this point so instead of making the turn we continued on Great Notch to the Long Pond fire road. From there we returned to the junction and continued on the Long Pond Trail. Beginning in the woods the trail drops down and then continues along the pond for almost 2 miles. Kelley is usually anxious to get in the water but was put off by the waves lapping against the shore. No problems for her on any of these trails. 3 1/4 hours


Great Notch Trail





Long Pond Trail



Long Pond

11/2/09 Over and Around Dorr Mtn.

Temperature in the 40's but sunny and very little wind so good hiking weather.We started at the nature center parking lot. From there we walked to the Hemlock Trail which rises steeply to the Dorr Mtn. N. Ridge Trail. This trail is also fairly steep and rocky but neither was a problem for Kelley. We descended on the S. Ridge Trail which gives really nice views. It is not as steep but most of it is over smooth rock; dicier for me but easier for Kelley. There was one spot where she did need help getting down. We then took Canon Brook ( easy) to the Kane Path which runs along the Tarn and consists, in large part, of huge boulders . We have done the Kane several times and Kelley sometimes has spots she doesn't like and other times has no problems. Today she needed assistance twice. We came to Kurt Diederich's Climb and decided to give it a try. This is a stepped trail and Kelley bounded up the granite steps without problem. We came to the Dorr E. Face Trail and since we had been to the top already, took it down and back to the car. Again no problem for Kelley. 3 hours and 20 minutes

Bar Harbor from Dorr N. Ridge Trail

Pond on Kane Path

Kane Path (from earlier hike)

Kurt Diederich's Climb

Dorr E. Face Trail

11/1/09 Georges Highland Path-Spruce/Pleasant Section

We started at the western end of the trail at Mt. Pleasant Farm. It began with a gradual rise to an open area with nice views, went along a ridge and the dropped down into the woods. Parts of the trial were wet and  muddy but we expected this because of more rain last night. After a fairly level woods walk the trail again rises and there is another ledge with views before again dropping into the woods for awhile  and then rising  to Spruce Mtn.  and then dropping down to end at Route 17 the eastern end of the trail. We returned the way we had come and both liked this trail. 7.5 or 8.2 miles-4 hours