Ocean Path, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

A scenic path along the ocean shore connecting several points of interest. The 1915 Path guide, p10 describes a path along Ocean Drive between the Beehive area and the Sand Beech area on the west side of the road (shown on the 1926, 1930 maps) - does this still exist? The 1934 records of the CCC McFarland Field Camp describe the following work: "With the re-location of the so called Ocean Drive, space has been afforded to make a very scenic foot path along the waters edge leading from Otter Cliff to the Sand Beach a distance of more than one mile. It will prove to be a very interesting walk as it winds from highway to ledges, around out-cropping rock and across shallow crevices with the occasional side paths running out to vantage points on the cliff edges. This trail in many places will be buffeted by high seas in inclement weather and consequently has to be secured with ruggedly constructed fills and seawalls. It is better than half completed at the present time and although necessitating quite a bit of labor will be worth the effort expended from the standpoint of scenic beauty and human safety." Four photographs are included showing work along the trail. (CCC records, National Archives). CCC records, year not yet determined, "Ocean Drive Trail - Work on this project has continued steadily through this period and has progressed to a point where approximately tow more weeks will complete the main trail. The trail, a total length of about 3000 feet stands completed for 1000 feet and complete except for final surfacing and grading for an additional 1000 feet. It has been necessary in some places to relocate and reconstruct the trail, already built by other agencies, to conform with the complete plan for this area as suggested by the Park Landscape Architect. This has made extra work as it involved the tearing down and reconstructing retaining walls and fills and regrading the location of the old trail. Over 500 cubic yards of rock, fill and loam have been trucked and handled during this period. This fill has been moved by Park truck and two civilian trucks hired for that purpose. As a fitting response to the work being done along the Ocean Drive by both Civilian Conservation personnel and by Mr. Rockefeller, this drive is becoming more popular and bids fair to become a favorite spot for tourists who enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of the sea coast. (CCC records, National Archives). The 1934 records of the CCC McFarland Field Camp describe the following work: "ECW - 7 - 14, Project 1, Ocean Drive Trails - This project, begun in the summer of 1933, consists of the construction of trails and picnic grounds along a portion of the Ocean Drive where that drive skirts the cliffs for a distance of about one mile. (CCC records, National Archives). As was stated in the quarterly report, (Oct., Nov., Dec. 1934) the Fourth Enrollment Period has been concerned with the reconstruction of a path previously built by other agencies and extending ½ mile in prolongation of the path built by this camp. (CCC records, National Archives). In November 1935, the CCC built steps at Thunderhole. The Oct. - Dec. 1934 Narrative Report for the CCC McFarland Field Camp at Acadia NP reports doing the following work on the "Ocean Drive Trails - As has been stated in previous reports, this project now consists of the reconstruction of certain trails, previously built by other agencies, to conform in purpose and quality with paths already built in this area by this camp. This trail to be rebuilt continues along the cliff, in prolongation of the existing trail, for a distance of approximately ½ mile and will, when finished, complete the system of paths that connects all interesting points in this area. Although the expression "rebuilding" would suggest minor changes, as a matter of fact this project required quite as much labor as new construction would utilize, owing to the great changes in grading and surfacing necessary to bring this path to a condition favorably comparable to the work already done. In addition to this trail work, a great deal of labor has been expended on the construction of a very well situated picnic ground and in suitable walks leading to it from parking areas along the highway, and from the trail. This picnic ground lies on a gently sloping section of the shore line, well shaded, and conveniently located with regard to the highway providing a suitable place for tourists to spread lunches without the necessity of resorting to the rugged rocks and cliffs of the shore with their attendant hazards. The construction of this picnic ground required the cleaning, grading, and top-soiling of the area and the before mentioned building of walks providing ingress from the highway and parking grounds. In addition to these walks, about 1000 feet of trail was built through and around said grounds to make it wholly available to visitors. In all this work attention was paid to the proper screening of the newness of trails and grading so that no scar or unnatural lines can be seen from a distance. This required, in some places, the relocation of this old trail, but it was deemed advisable as this area comes into great prominence when viewed from certain well elevated distant points. Some 700 yards of loam were donated by Mr. Rockefeller in the interest of the furtherance of this work, in an area in which he has already constructed a beautiful and much needed modern drive. Woods cleaning in sections adjacent to this area was started in December and will progress, as weather permits, this winter. As the next report will doubtless show, it is expected that this project will be interrupted quite frequently in the next quarter as this area, located right on the shore, is exposed to severe weather most of the winter. Attached will be found a pictorial page showing various views of this beautiful spot and its growing development. These pictures plus the attached summary will convey probably a better idea of the amount of work done than can be shown in this narrative." Photographs are included: "The views on the left show typical stone steps used in the construction of paths. Steps of this type form a permanent part of the Park path system and easily became part of the naturalistic landscaping plan adapted for the area. The pictures on the right show how the grade has been raised around the trunks of valuable trees and in every case these valuable trees have been rock welled to prevent their dying. Great care has been exercised to preserve these trees and in many cases the path deviates from the direct course in order to accomplish this end." (CCC records, National Archives). A 1937 drawing shows the layout of the Otter Cliff Trail. The drawing includes a plan, profile, enlarged profile of steps, and a trail cross section. The section, at a scale of 1/2" to 1' specifies a trail of four foot width of gravel or crushed stone, and an edge of cut-away foliage to vary from two to six feet from edge of trail. (Plan #8129-1 and -2) A September 27, 1938 progress report mentions the newly completed path around Otter Cliffs (CCC records, National Archives). CCC records, from the 1930s describe work on the "Ocean Drive - This project as originally laid out, consisting of the main trail, 3000 feet long, leading along the shore line at Ocean Drive was completed this period. Spur trails leading out to points of vantage on the cliff edges were widened and improved to assure the safety of the increasing number of sightseers visiting this area. This last item required the construction of extra retaining walls for said spur trails and observation points. This completes the original project August 31st. On September 1st it was deemed advisable by the Park Authorities to include in the original Ocean Drive Trail the improvement of the entrances to the parking areas built by Mr. Rockefeller. These improvements includes construction of stone steps and ramps leading from parking areas to the Ocean Drive Trail. Stone steps are being procured from Cadillac Mountain and transported to the Drive. Upon completion of these improvements it is planned to take over the path built by Mr. Rockefeller which is a continuation of the trail just completed by this camp and make changes in this trail necessary to bring the finished path up to the standard of the original Ocean Drive Trail built by this camp. In addition to the above, loam is bing added to the banks and shoulders of the main trail and secondary trails....stone steps - 56, gravel - 300 yds, fine loam - 62 yds, rough loam - 150 yds..." (CCC records, National Archives).

2 mi

From the Sand Beach parking area, past Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliffs to Otter Point

44.3206359

-68.1883451

The historic trail system of Acadia National Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its national significance and ties to the history of Mount Desert Island and establishment of the park. The system's period of significance starts in 1844 and ends in 1942. The listing encompasses 109 trails traversing 117 miles on Mount Desert Island (some extending outside the park) and includes 18 memorial plaques, 12 viewpoints, and unique engineering features.

Microsoft Access database used in preparation of report Pathmakers: Cultural Landscape Report for the Historic Hiking Trail System of Mount Desert Island by Coffin Brown, Margaret, Jim Vekasi, et. al. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, DC (2006); accessed June 2024.