Acadia - 2018 edition. Ride and Hike Report!

[AngryScientist]

First off, starting a new thread as the last one was over a decade old, but wanted to thank each and every member who offered suggestions and recommendations. I read them all, and crammed as much as i could into a few days up north.

I count myself fortunate to have an accommodating, great family who let's me take off for micro adventures when things get a little hectic at home. I took off from here in Jersey for the solid 9-hour drive to Bar Harbor and enjoyed a half week of PERFECT weather to ride, hike and camp out!

rest of my pics here:

http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/2018/09/acadia-downeast-maine.html




Loaded my little Jeep, both inside and on the roof for a few days off the grid.

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXVQDBPbufY/W5UrEZZsE-I/AAAAAAAADFw/T6mhb1mH11UUHfbus5MlsxD35e_qWvEcwCLcBGAs/s1000/IMG_2973.JPG

Perfect roads abound in the natn'l park

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sJ1TjhvhLo/W5UrE7RERMI/AAAAAAAADF4/tAtkiWdX6GsRDXwvv0jshJPp8j2JSpmDwCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_2989.JPG

the Swan, outfitted with compass 32's was the perfect combo for either carriage roads or blacktop.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-uqp7qZRlw/W5UrEmuEZqI/AAAAAAAADF0/x6xenzNM6-IaYRy3sLCbiFU0uIekEXqRQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_2991.JPG

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3DYYImlHNw/W5UrGP1nGOI/AAAAAAAADGE/SvlyEGKr9EcnQSYwRyhA3YA8cVdfE3l8gCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3001.JPG

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q_3ow_rQiU/W5UrGb99ofI/AAAAAAAADGI/I1FT07w-DG4DpNQtRTJhmuoWtWiBgAdaQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3002.JPG

[AngryScientist]

low key, basic car camping was perfect

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U247v5ZL2Hw/W5UrGxhLQfI/AAAAAAAADGQ/A-ClUcspGNI0LB3atXkYyQaJFu9tM8BVACLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3006.JPG

always, coffee first!

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afqoIaBVHkc/W5UrLZw2GsI/AAAAAAAADHY/Bi0J9rMB9kQpHATDxqX2I5KO1KO76QOSQCLcBGAs/s1000/IMG_3076.JPG

waiting for the shoodic ferry to take me back to bar harbor

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSWzfm5orEQ/W5UrKhJ9Q_I/AAAAAAAADHM/Y7DXBClwEVQaqJagYW6o3qgtjnDRZUtuACLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3067.JPG

the swan is a tool. man handled by ferry staff and strapped to a flimsy bike rack for the ride across the bay!

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eC8VC6GODK4/W5UrIBqIldI/AAAAAAAADGk/MoRYxagWWYc6cZcN1-t9OjgTTBAIU5p5QCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3029.JPG

[AngryScientist]

Maine is so Mainly

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeGorRHWwnE/W5UrIsMeJJI/AAAAAAAADGs/hl13t1ClnLEuGbbdnVjrPnNa1DY6qYZGQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3031.JPG

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeAfBHbqufI/W5UrJuE6oxI/AAAAAAAADG4/i57Am13n6co2cIo84rWVsQtFL5P-pNEfQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3037.JPG

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l31qDBOsbYs/W5UrJ2oqLPI/AAAAAAAADG8/S7RtfIEXbU8zTv-VCr74-6TYBx3svI95ACLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3040.JPG


Hiking is great:

This is the start of the BeeHive trail. Sweet!

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeaqDG5T0bk/W5UrL0LI2FI/AAAAAAAADHc/KgcbcwWLHREwS4RYf2TpChV-Y64No7JtQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3082.JPG

Beer is Good:

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uELaRz8QN3g/W5UrHwk-w6I/AAAAAAAADGg/v0cRTWYUyWwfyqCH-57Xoq-pGGRMjOY0gCLcBGAs/s1000/IMG_3019.JPG

i'll be back!

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qD4y2EnxGnw/W5UrKXl54zI/AAAAAAAADHI/B0yu8oPq9R8uysAN0vgAfCKcPm7sNzwGgCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_3063.JPG

[wgp]

Glad you had a great time! It's really a majestic place -

[GregL]

Glad you had a safe, enjoyable trip! My family is already planning our 2019 trip to MDI.

Greg

[gasman]

Wow-great report. I've always wanted to visit but now I really want to visit. Too bad it's longer than a 9 hour drive.

[AngryScientist]

Wow-great report. I've always wanted to visit but now I really want to visit. Too bad it's longer than a 9 hour drive.

you know it's interesting. when i was there, i couldnt help but feel like the area had a very pacific northwest vibe, though with an undeniable down east maine feel. pretty cool spot, definitely very much seperated from what we typically think of as "new england".

[schwa86]

That's funny, when I was in the PNW last fall I thought it had a very Maine downeast vibe!

[likebikes]

little jeep?!?!

what are the ammo cans for?

[AngryScientist]

little jeep?!?!

what are the ammo cans for?

haha, that's where i keep my camping small stuff - stove, first aid kit, etc. good waterproof tough storage...

[weisan]

Very cool angry pal. Glad you get to spend some time away decompressing.

[merlinmurph]

So, you stayed at Schoodic? Very nice area away from the craziness. We've stayed at a small RV park in Winter Harbor. The ferry is great.

There used to be a cool campground there called Oceanside(?). Right on the water, really nice sites. I'd wake up around 5 AM to the sound of lobster boats, roll over and watch them. It got sold to be developed, and that failed. Last I heard, someone bought it and was going to make it a campground again.

We got married on Swan's Island almost exactly 13 years ago. Cool place with almost nothing on it except for a bunch of lobstermen.

MDI is too touristy to get a true downeast vibe. Still a wonderful place, especially off-season.

Glad to hear you had a great trip.

[Birddog]

little jeep?!?!

what are the ammo cans for?

That was my first thought also, and for a guy whose handle is "Angry Scientist" a question that needs to be answered. Ammo cans and beer in the same post? coincidence? I think not.

[charliedid]

Good stuff.

Curious why you run the feed bag out front?

[AngryScientist]

Good stuff.

Curious why you run the feed bag out front?

thanks!

i've become pretty fond of the feedbag for longer rides. it's where i throw my car keys, gels, and small snacks for the ride. takes no effort to grab a gel or fig newton while i'm pedaling. it's small enough that i dont think it interferes with anything else, especially on my small frame.

[AngryScientist]

So, you stayed at Schoodic?

no, i stayed in bar harbor at bar harbor campground, a lovely little place, by the way. i have stayed at a lot of campgrounds over the years, and the bathhouse showers are the best i've used!

took the ferry over to schoodic just to ride. it was amazing this time of year, saw about 3 cars all day and zero other people, no bikes, despite picture perfect riding weather.

[charliedid]

thanks!

i've become pretty fond of the feedbag for longer rides. it's where i throw my car keys, gels, and small snacks for the ride. takes no effort to grab a gel or fig newton while i'm pedaling. it's small enough that i dont think it interferes with anything else, especially on my small frame.

I totally agree, I just always thought most of us ran the bag in front of you but behind the bars?

I do so it must be right :-)

[93KgBike]

What an excellent follow-up thread. Thanks so much Angry. Great pics.

What was that stone house? A church? Or mansion?

[R3awak3n]

I totally agree, I just always thought most of us ran the bag in front of you but behind the bars?

I do so it must be right :-)

Thats what most do... and it hits peoples knees all over the world :)

[AngryScientist]

What was that stone house? A church? Or mansion?

good question! i really dont know though, looks to be an old house that was probably a private residence before the park became public land. it's along one of the carriage roads.

[AngryScientist]

I totally agree, I just always thought most of us ran the bag in front of you but behind the bars?

I do so it must be right :-)

ha, i see what you're talking about now. yea, i run it in front of the bars for clearance. i dont know if it would even fit on my frame (doubt it) behind the bars without hitting something, and definitely my knees when standing.

[GregL]

good question! i really dont know though, looks to be an old house that was probably a private residence before the park became public land. it's along one of the carriage roads.
I believe that house is the much-photographed "Gatehouse" across from the Jordan Pond House restaurant. Here's an article with more information: https://bangordailynews.com/2012/12/15/news/hancock/public-gets-rare-glimpse-at-historic-acadia-gatekeepers-home/

Greg

[MattTuck]

great report and pictures, Nick.

What happened to your mini-camper thing?

[Tim Porter]

Very cool trip, Nick, thanks. We were up there this weekend for a wedding--a quick flight in and out via Bangor. No riding, sadly. I hope to get back up there soon for some riding. In the past, I've done the park loop early in the morning, including Cadillac, a few times and it's stellar.

[charliedid]

ha, i see what you're talking about now. yea, i run it in front of the bars for clearance. i dont know if it would even fit on my frame (doubt it) behind the bars without hitting something, and definitely my knees when standing.

Gotcha,makes sense.

[cderalow]

good question! i really dont know though, looks to be an old house that was probably a private residence before the park became public land. it's along one of the carriage roads.

I believe that house is the much-photographed "Gatehouse" across from the Jordan Pond House restaurant. Here's an article with more information: https://bangordailynews.com/2012/12/15/news/hancock/public-gets-rare-glimpse-at-historic-acadia-gatekeepers-home/

Greg

correct. Built by Rockefeller