A Strenuous Hike Up Cadillac Mountain in Maine's Acadia National Park

President and Mrs. Obama, their family, and entourage motocaded up the winding road to the peak of Cadillac Mountain in the magnificent Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island, Maine, where they vacationed recently in nearby Bar Harbor.

My husband, Buck, and I have been vacationing on Mt. Desert Island for years, although we prefer to stay on the quiet side of the island, in the little working fishing village of Bernard, on Bass Harbor.

A few years ago, while in Maine for a week, Buck and I hiked the Canyon Brook Trail, described in Tom St. Germain's book, A Walk In The Park as a "difficult but varied and unique hike up Cadillac Mountain." It was that, and more.

Best of all we made it back with no broken bones. The low point was 74 feet above sea level and the high point 1,532. The loop began with the Kane Path, a lovely, easy to walk path through a canopied forest of birch and beech trees.

After crossing a footpath over an old beaver dam area, a signpost with various trail markers directed us to the left toward Cadillac Mountain, continuing on the Kane Path. At this point the going was very easy, although the trail did begin to roll in places like a gentle roller coaster. Then, when Otter Creek and Canyon Brook converged with the Dorr Mountain, Murray Young and Canyon Brook trails, all hell broke loose. Over the next mile or so we gained most of the altitude, climbing up a rough granite staircase. Fortunately this was a dry time of the year. Otherwise, the waterfalls and rivulets coursing down the rocky face would have been even more dangerous.

We emerged unscathed from that difficult passage, sat down on a rock where the path re-entered the woods and enjoyed a picnic lunch. We felt the cool air, bright sun, fall colors, and sheer joy in being alive. Our cheese and cucumber sandwiches tasted like ambrosia of the gods.

After lunch, Buck and I made our final assault on Cadillac Mountain. At the summit, people who had parked at the top were scrambling all about, gawking at the magnificent views. A park ranger led a small group to various spots about the summit on a safe, smooth sidewalk, narrating history and pointing out landmarks. We stopped off at the gift shop for an ice cream bar. Mine was Haagen-Daz Vanilla with a Chocolate-Almond coating. I can still almost taste it.

We searched around the summit and eventually found our "trail" off the mountain. It was the Notch Trail, leading to the A. Murray Young Gorge Trail, connecting again to the Kane Path and back to the car. I use the term "trail" loosely, because "the Notch drop-off down the mountainside over a pile of dangerous rocks" is a better description. And the Gorge Path, while if one were to fall the drop might not be so far, was perhaps even more dangerous because of the poor footing and loose rocks. Once we hit the Kane Path again, we had a treat for the feet all the way back to the car.

It was a super evening. We individually foraged for supper from leftovers in the fridge of the house we had rented for the week. Buck found a baked potato, meatloaf and sliced tomatoes, followed by ice cream, while I wolfed down a tossed salad, macaroni and cheese with mixed veggies and a cup of hot chocolate. Deliciously sleepy and warm by the fire, I staggered upstairs early and got the best night's sleep I'd had so far on the trip.

If you haven't had an opportunity to visit Mt. Desert Island, Maine yet, put it near the top of your "Bucket List." And be prepared to fall in love.

Sources:

Personal hiking experience

A Walk in the Park trail guide, by Tom St. Germain, ISBN 0-962-99974-1, Parkman Publications, Bar Harbor, ME

Elizabeth Westmark is a creative nonfiction and fiction writer who makes a foray out into the virtual world from time to time, then darts back to her quiet study in the woods to write. Her essays have appeared in Brevity, Prick of the Spindle, Girls with Insurance, The Binnacle Ultra-Short 2009, Camroc Press Review, Long Story Short, and Dead Mule, among others. She might (or might not) occasionally post updates at her website, http://www.elizabethwestmark.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Westmark

  
Do you enjoy camping, fishing, biking, or just sitting by a campfire? Come to Maine. There are so many fun and exciting things to do!  
When you visit our rocky coastline or sandy beaches and you will quickly see why Maine is the place to vacation. We have a variety of outdoor
activities to choose from year round. Do you like to hike?  We have many great mountains to choose from for every skill level.

Attend a baseball game at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine and see the Portland Sea Dogs.
They are the farm team for the Boston Red Sox.   Bring the whole family!