Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

A CCC constructed summit trail providing sweeping park views from Cadillac Mtn., crossing exposed rock and ledges, trail paved with concrete aggregrate that blended with crushed native pink granite, mostly accessible with a few small steps, several landing areas for observation, average width 4-5', Stephen Mather memorial plaque located on trail, two newly constructed cut stone staircases of gray granite do not complement existing trail features.

Historical Context

A 1932 drawing illustrates the proposed paths and lookouts for Cadillac summit (Job #1024).A 1932 drawing shows a detail for trail entrances for Cadillac Mountain summit (ACA-1027).The Oct. - Dec. 1934 Narrative Report for the CCC McFarland Field Camp at Acadia NP reports doing the following work on the "Cadillac Summit - These two pictures show one of the paths on Cadillac Summit. The upper picture shows the trail swamped out and the rough grade started while the lower picture shows the trail completed. Much of the other work on the Mountain has comprised a woods cleaning of areas adjacent to the paths. The undergrowth of the crooked gray birch shown in the pictures has been removed, leaving only the conifers which have been pruned to a height of about six feet in order to permit picnic parties to lunch under the trees. In order to protect the growth from winter damage, fir trees have been cut and placed around the borders of the area to break up the wind." (CCC records, National Archives)

Distance (e.g., miles)

0.5 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

A loop from the Cadillac Mtn. summit parking area around the summit.

Latitude (decimal)

44.35258

Longitude (decimal)

-68.2253

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

1911455

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.

External URL2

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