Kurt Diederich's Climb, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From collection Place

A highly constructed, moderately difficult, steep memorial summit trail that starts at the northern end of the Tarn, at the intersection of the Jesup Path (#14), Kane Path (#17), and Beachcroft Path (#13) and ascends to the intersection of the Emery Path and Schiff Path (#15), allowing a loop from the Sieur de Monts Spring area to the Crag and Tarn. At the lower end, the sixth step up from the trailhead is a 5' long circa 1913 engraved stone step, "KURT DIEDERICH'S CLIMB." A bronze commemorative plaque, "in memory, Of Kurt Diederich, Who loved these mountains, 1913" is now located in the Park archives. The route contains staircases, stone paving, closed and open culverts, and retaining walls; some enormous stones, 6x5x2 are incorporated into stonework. A well used trail, average width of 3 feet, most original construction is intact, though some has shifted and some areas have been repaired. TS, MB, GJS

Significant Dates

1915

Historical Context

In the 1915 BHVIA 26th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Rudolph E. Brunnow, September 9, 1915 states, "The two Memorial paths given by Mrs. John Innes Kane and Mrs. Morton Smith, the Kane Path and the Beachcroft path, which were mentioned in my last report, are now entirely finished; and a third Memorial path presented by Mrs. Hunt Slater in memory of her nephew, Mr. Kurt Diederich, and called Kurt Diederich's Climb, is now in process of construction on the eastern slope of Dry Mountain....form not only most fitting monuments to those whose memory they are designed to perpetuate, but are also an extremely valuable addition to our path system." Described in the 1915 Path Guide, p. 9, as "from the northern end of Tarn and the Kane Path, half way up the eastern face of Dorr (Dry) Mtn to the Sieur de Monts Crag, then descending to the road a little beyond the Sieur de Monts Spring. An extension of the path from the Crag to the top of the mountain is projected." The 1916 BHVIA 27th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Rudolph E. Brunnow, Sept 14, 1916 states, "the system of Memorial Path constructed by Mr. Dorr on Dry and Picket Mountains has been enriched by the Emery Memorial path, the gift of Mrs. Alfred Anson, leading from the Sieur de Monts Spring to the Crag above, where it connects with Kurt Diederich's Climb and the Homans Path.

Distance (e.g., miles)

0.5 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From the north end of the Tarn, up the east face, to the Dorr Mtn. Trail

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.

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