Aunt Betty's Pond Path crosses Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From collection Place

This three mile summit and woodland path begins at Eagle Lake Road, follows west side of Aunt Betty's Pond, over Hardwood Hill, and across Southwest Valley Road and Fern Spring to ledges and summit of Sargent Mt. Part of path described in 1867 guide, sections shown on 1893 Rand map. Path is difficult but possible to follow, and cairns still mark ascent up mountain. Trail was marked by phantom blazer in the late 70s with blue blazes, and trail used to be referred to as the "blue dot" trail. Blazes are now gone, as are any remnants of one of few steel signposts in park that used to mark instersection .5 miles north of summit. Beautiful views NE, N, NW. GS, SB

Significant Dates

1867

Historical Context

This trail is located in both the NEHVIS and BHVIA districts. From the annual reports, it appears to have been maintained by the BHVIA.Sections of this trail are shown on the 1983 Rand mapand were likely remnants of logging roads. The path was improved by the BHVIA path committee in the 1890s. Some sections of the path are now carriage roads.The 1900 BHVIA 11th An. Rpt states, "A few of the new paths still require considerable work to be done on them, particularly the path running by Aunt Betty's pond to the base of Sargent Mountain, ..."1923 Annual Report of the Path Committee by Mr. F. D. Weekes, printed in the newspaper, states "number of pointers being put up on Aunt Betty's Pond trail, one of the most beautiful and varied approaches to the Sargeant Summit..." In the 1939 BHVIA 48th Annual Report, Frederic J. DeVeau, Chairman of committee on Paths, states, "The majority of the trails in the Park are in bad shape, and some of the less used ones, such as the Deer Brook and Aunt Betty pond trails, will cease to exist in the not too distant future unless something is done. Our best hope is that when the present schedule of building automobile highways is completed, we may be able to attract the interest of local National Park authorities to the trails.

Distance (e.g., miles)

3 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From Eagle Lake Road around the west side of Aunt Betty's Pond, over Hardwood Hill, across Southwest Valley Road, past Fern Spring to the summit of Sargent Mtn.

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.

NRHP Property ID

100007602

ACAD Trails ID

526

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.

External URL2

https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names