Bernard Mountain South Face Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

Described in 1915 path guide as the South Face Trail, "From Mill Field over South Summit of West Peak to Spring Notch."  The trail as currently marked now includes two other trails named in the 1915 path guide.  The Kaighn Trail, "From Spring Notch north over Middle Summit, past Kaighn Summer House, to Little Notch."  And, the Moss trail, "From Little Notch over North Summit of West Peak, to Great Notch Junction."Shown on the 1916 path map as three trails with numbers 18, 19, and 20.Described in the 1919 BHVIA An. Rpt as follows, "the development of additional trails by Mr. Walter H. Buell at Southwest Harbor, whose activity has been instrumental in opening up during recent years the various points of interest around and over the Western Mountain.  This almost unknown part of the island is now entirely accessible as the trail system has been most successfully developed there, indicating a careful and thorough study on Mr. Buell's part.  During the past season a circular trail was added running around the north summit of the West peak of Western Mountain, from which unsurpassed views in a northerly and westerly direction can now be obtained, and in addition the Razor Back Trail over the ridge between the East and West peaks has been extended, this opens up a view of the gorge between those Peaks and towards the ocean on the south, of wonderful charm and interest."A 1936 CCC report by Patterson describes Adirondack shelters proposed for the South Face Trail, both at the top and at the foot at the junction of the Sluiceway Trail. In a December 1936 - January 1937 monthly report by the park's landscape architect, B. L. Breeze, he reports that Job #26, the ski trail on Western Mountain, "work on this ski trail is now completed...the South Face Trail was used with very little alterations" (CCC records, National Archives).

2.2 miles

From Mill Field, over Bernard Peak, to Little Notch and junction of Sluiceway Trail.

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.

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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.