Carriage Roads of Acadia

For our second big day in Acadia National Park, Keith and I spent some time exploring the carriage roads within the park.  There are 57 miles of carriage roads in Acadia, more than we could see in a week; but we were determined to make the most of our beautiful day. Our first stop was Jordan Pond.  From the pond there is a beautiful view of the "Bubble Mountains".

Jordan Pond and Bubble Mountains 

From Jordan Pond we headed off to find some of the classic bridges that Rockefeller built along the carriage roads.  There are 16 bridges throughout the carriage roads all made from local granite.  They were constructed between 1913-1940 by Rockefeller who was an avid horseman.  He wanted to be able to ride through his property by horseback or horse drawn carriage.  These bridges span creeks and gorges and occasionally motor car roads.  You can walk or bike the carriage roads but there are no motorized vehicles allowed.

Pengi enjoying the carriage roads and a bridge

Hemlock Bridge was one of the more expensive to build.  It is located under Sargent Mountain and spans an impressive 200 feet with a single central arch allowing Hadlock Brook to flow underneath.

Waterfall Bridge is an iconic Acadia bridge overlooking the 40 foot Hadlock Falls.  There are 4 buttress-style viewing platforms that encourage visitors to enjoy the falls.  Unfortunately the falls are just a trickle in the summer, so no pictures of dramatic waterfalls today.

Climbing back up the trail after taking pictures of the bridge arch.

Back up on the carriage road.

Small stream along the carriage road.

Mushroom along stream

There are also places where ponds and lakes can be seen from the carriage roads

Probably my favorite is the Cobble Stone Bridge.  Built in 1917 this is the oldest bridge and only cobble stone bridge in Acadia.  All the rest are hewn granite with smoother, carved stones.

Under the arch of the Cobble Stone Bridge

Horse drawn carriage 

Once we had seen several pretty bridges and done a half day of biking, Keith and I took the car to the west side (the quiet side) of  the island to Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor.  This was some of the lakes and tidal areas we saw along the way.

At Bass Harbor along the ocean

Bass Harbor Headlight

Bass Harbor Headlight was built in 1858.  It marks the entrance to both Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay.  The lighthouse stands 56 feet above mean high water on the jagged rock cliffs that are so stunning here in Maine.

Bass Harbor Headlight

By this time it was later afternoon and we headed back to Bar Harbor to do some provisioning at the grocery store in town then back to Southern Style to get ready for dinner.

Back at the downtown docks

The Bar Harbor Inn as seen from the cockpit of Southern Style

Our view at dinner from The Reading Room in the Bar Harbor Inn, amazing.

Our time in downtown Bar Harbor and the heart of Acadia was amazing.  I could spend endless days here, but it was time to move on.  We are headed back over to the "quiet side" of the island with the boat.  We stayed in Southwest Harbor for two nights last week and are headed back for another two nights ( July 31 and August 1).  We will now slowly start making our way back down along the coast of Maine during the month of August.