Asticou Trail, crosses Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From collection Place

An early and easy VIS woodland trail that was once a major walking thoroughfare between Northeast Harbor and the Jordan Pond House. The original route started near the Asticou Inn, travelled north along a roadbed, then turned east along the northern side of the Cedar Swamp (a feature shown on historic maps). The current route receives moderate use, is 3-5 feet wide, starts at the end of the map house and travels east. After the intersection with the Asticou Ridge Trail (#520) the trail descends by numerous VIA/VIS steps through woodlands, which need to be reset, and crosses the Harbor Brook by an NPS bridge that was formerly VIS stepping stones at the intersection of the Harbor Brook Trail (#55). The route continues east and has sections of raised gravel tread with rubble stone base where most of gravel has washed off, side ditches, and closed and open stone culverts. In some sections a coping wall along the lower edge of the trail holds water, resulting in increased erosion. A series of VIS stepstones cross a minor stream. After crossing Jordan Stream by an NPS bridge, the trail ends at the carriage road west of the Jordan Pond House. MB, GJS

Significant Dates

circa 1881

Historical Context

This is one of the older paths on the island. Its shown on the 1893 map and may have been an early logging road. As walking and path-making became increasingly popular during the 1890's this path served as the major thoroughfare for walkers between the Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor path systems. Both the Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor path committees maintained the trail.Many paths branched off of this path leading to mountains, ponds and streams to the north and south. In fact there were so many trail junctions that in places it was quite confusing. In the 1914 Seal Harbor VIS An. Rpt., Joseph Allen, Path Committee Chairman, proposes centering intersecting trails to create junctions along the Asticou Jordan trail, particularly near the pipeline to Seal Harbor.In the 1915 path guide, the path is described as "an easy path between Jordan Pond House and Asticou Inn."One point along the path was called "the five corners. This was the intersection along the path with a trail up the "South End" of Jordan Mountain, a trail over Mitchell Hill, and a trail along Squirrel Brook to the pipeline. These trails are no longer marked.The end of the path at Asticou is no longer open due to restricted access on private property, thus this trail does not serve its initial purpose as a major connector trail.

Distance (e.g., miles)

2 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From the Jordan Pond House to a private drive in Asticou.

Latitude (decimal)

44.31147

Longitude (decimal)

-68.2697

Significance

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.

GNIS/GNS Feature ID

1911350

NRHP Property ID

100007602

ACAD Trails ID

Authoritative Source

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.