Schoodic Head Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From collection Place List - History Trust

Of the three CCC-era trails on the peninsula, the half-mile-long Schoodic Head Trail has the fewest constructed features. Built in approximately 1937, it is initially a ledge hike offering panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island to the west. As the trail descends, it becomes a woodland hike on pine tread through a glacially carved ravine of spruce and fir, passing by moss-covered granite and thick stands of fern. It terminates at the entrance road to the ranger station. (edited version of NRHP nomination text, #7000614)

Significant Dates

circa 1937

Historical Context

Hiking trails are an important circulation system within Schoodic Peninsula Historic District. These include the Anvil Trail, Alder Trail, East Trail, Schoodic Head Trail, and Schoodic Point Trail. All of these trails illustrate their historic objective—to provide access to scenic vistas on the island. Each has maintained its historic alignment, including the trailhead location and destination. The Alder trail is an old roadbed that predates the park. The three CCC trails—Anvil, East and Schoodic Head—were built in the 1930s to NPS specifications and exhibit a high quality of workmanship, particularly in the stone work. Drainage and erosion control were accomplished using features such as switchbacks and rock drains. Scenic vistas and associated natural features are all principally intact. Despite some erosion, manifested primarily as exposed tree roots on steep slopes, many of the engineering features are still visible. Some of the small drainage features on the hiking trails show minor degradation. However, most of these features are intact, and the basic rustic character of the trails has not been compromised. Minor changes were made by the NFS in a few places, for example, the addition of "bogwalks" or walkways to traverse wet areas. 11 Character-defining features of the system include the spectacular scenic ocean vistas mainly to the east (with the exception of the Schoodic Head Trail, which has views to the west), often glimpsed through a spruce-fir canopy. Intrusive visual elements such as roads and buildings are virtually absent. Small-scale engineering elements are also character-defining features and include drainage features, stone steps, riprap and retaining walls.(edited version of NRHP nomination text, #7000614)

Distance (e.g., miles)

0.5 miles

Statement of Significance

Schoodic Peninsula Historic District.

Authority

Terzis, Lee. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Schoodic Peninsula Historic District." United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Washington DC, 27 September 2001). Updated by Nancy J. Brown, 2005; listed 29 June 2007.

Web Resource

https://npshistory.com/publications/acad/nr-schoodic-peninsula-hd.pdf

Other Source

U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). “Archive database of 2021” at U.S. Geographic Information Names System (GNIS) (https://www.usgs.gov/us-board-on-geographic-names/download-gnis-data : accessed 31 May 2024).

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Schoodic Peninsula Historic District, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

Schoodic Peninsula is a rocky, wooded headland that juts into the Atlantic at Winter Harbor, Maine. Five miles to the west across Frenchman Bay lies Mount Desert Island and the main part of Acadia National Park. The Schoodic Peninsula Hist…