Jordan Cliffs Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From collection Place

A difficult, exposed, cliff-side and summit trail that starts from the south end of the Penobscot Mtn Trail, skirts north along Jordan Cliffs, passes the intersection with the Penobscot East Trail (#50), then drops down into woods across Deer Brook Trail (#51) and finally climbs to summit of Sargent. Its southernmost section is one of the older cliff-side trails on the island and contains some iron rungs, one log bridge with steps cut into the stringer rebuilt by NPS in 2002, stone steps, culverts, and walls, and pinned log walkways. Views over Jordan Pond are outstanding. The southern half of the trail across Jordan Cliffs is typically closed from late spring through mid summer for nesting peregrine falcons. On the section of trail between Deer Brook Trail and Sargent summit, with a lack of built features, there has been substantial erosion in steep, direct sections, resulting in its closure in the mid 1990s. The trail will be reopened after rehabilitation. SB, MB, GJS

Significant Dates

1896

Historical Context

On the 1903 Path Map, the "Bluffs Path" starts near the outlet on the west side of Jordan Pond, cuts across the cliffs then turns west, up "The Bluffs" to the summit of Jordan Mountain. The 1906 map shows a connection from above the Bluffs to the Deer Brook trail. In the 1914 SHAR, J. Allen proposes centering the ends of the `Cliff trail' and `Bluff trail' to create a junction at the top of the Cliff trail. By 1928, several other routes were built from the Bluffs, including the extension of the trail from the Bluffs northward, to the summit of Sargent Mountain, which is now the present day Jordan Cliffs Trail.Recorded in the 1932 Seal Harbor An. Rpt, "Attention is called to one new trail which is expected to prove very popular. It leaves the Jordan Bluff Trail at about two-thirds of the way up,..."

Distance (e.g., miles)

2.2 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From the Penobscot Mtn. Trail, along Jordan Cliffs, across Deer Brook Trail, up to the summit of Sargent Mtn.

Latitude (decimal)

44.32869

Longitude (decimal)

-68.2645

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

1911710

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.