Cadillac North Ridge Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

The 1894 BHVIA 5th An. Rpt. notes that a carriage road is added to the top of Green Mountain, "a private company has also maintained a desirable and excellent carriage way up the slopes of Green Mountain." (pp. 7 & 28)The 1915 path guide describes the trail as from the Kebo Valley Club, up the north ridge to the summit.The 1917 BHVIA 28th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Leonard Opdycke, Chairman, states, "the construction of a new gate and turnstile across the old Green Mt. road at the point where it crosses the boundary of Mr. Puffer's farm, Mr. Puffer pointed out that the frequent straying off of his horses would oblige him to close the road unless a new gate were built."The 1918 BHVIA 29th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Frederic Delano Weekes, Chairman states, "177 stone steps were constructed on the North Ridge path of Green Mountain..."The 1919 BHVIA 30th An. Rpt. states, "the North Ridge Trail of Green near the summit improved by the introduction of stone steps in several places."The 1925 BHVIA 34th An. Rpt states, "Many sections of the North Ridge Trail up Green Mountain and of the Curran Trail along the west shore of Eagle Lake will need to be changed this year on account of road construction."The 1927 BHVIA 36th An. Rpt states, "The North Ridge Trail on Green Mountain has been, and still is, a problem on account of the construction of the motor road to the summit Green Mountain, which crosses the trail six times."The 1932 BHVIA 41th An. Rpt notes "the National Park made possible the realignment of the North Ridge Trail on Cadillac Mountain at the higher levels to avoid crossing the road."  The report also states, "A new trail was carried around the summit of White Cap, opening up new and interesting vistas." (White Cap is the knoll on the north ridge of Cadillac)The 1934 records of the CCC McFarland Field Camp describe the following work:  "In the process of obliterating the Spur Road (an unused and abandoned road leading off from the Summit Road) a very beautiful trail was made that leads to the system of trails on Cadillac Mountain."   (CCC records, National Archives).The CCC records contain the following report "Spur Trail, Cadillac Mountain - A planting plan suggested by Mr. Breeze, Park Landscape Architect was followed in the selection and placing of trees and shrubs.  The following variety of trees and shrubs were secured from near by sources.  Trees: red maple, white spruce, white cedar, white birch.  Shrubs: viburnum cassinoides, ibx [sic], spirea wild and cultivated, bitter sweet, wild sods lambkill and blueberry.      Approximately 760 of the above mentioned shrubs and trees were used in landscaping this project.  Twenty-nine yards of gravel was screened at a pit on Ocean Drive and hauled to the Spur and used as topsurfacing on the foot path which runs from the Summit Road to the existing North Ridge Path a distance of some 400 feet.  An additional 56 yards of loam was needed for finished grading on both sides of afore-mentioned foot path.  The entire area has been rolled, seeded and the seed scratched in.  The following mixture of seed was used: Kentucky Blue Grass 25lbs, Red Top 8 lbs, Fescue 8 lbs, Red Clover 4 lbs.  To break up the monotony of shrubs, several old faced weathered rock were set in along the foot path at varied distances....M. B. Knowles"Six photographs are attached to the report that show the area after improvement of the Spur Trail leading to North Ridge Trail and the system of trails on Cadillac. (CCC records, National Archives).

2.2 miles

From the Park Loop Road up the north ridge to the summit of Cadillac Mtn.

44.36369

-68.2306

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.

580017

100007602

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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.