Birch Brook Trail, Seal Harbor, Mount Desert, Hancock County, ME

First appears on the 1909 path map. Described in the 1915 path guide.As described in the 1947 Seal Harbor VIS An Rpt, maintenance responsibilities of many of the paths in the Seal Harbor VIS district was taken over by the Park Service.  However, the Birch Brook Trail was one of several trails that the Seal Harbor VIS continued to maintain. This arrangement is also referred to in the 1948 and 1955 Seal Harbor VIS Annual Rrports.Recorded in the 1952 Seal Harbor VIS An Rpt, by Robert F. DeRevere, President, "Eight new bridges were built along the Birch Brook Trail, and the path was cleaned."Described in the 1955 Seal Harbor VIS An Rpt, "The Birch Brook Trail winds through the woods from Cooksey Drive up to County Road."This trail is currently maintained by the Seal Harbor VIS, according to Julie Ann Smith, current Chair of the Path Committee.

0.6 miles

From intersection of Rt. 3 and road up east side of Ox Hill, south along west side of Birch Brook, to ocean and Shore Path at Ingraham Point.

44.292296

-68.226787

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.

1911414

100007602

429

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.