Dorr Mountain Hike

As I mentioned last week-end in one of my posts, I hiked up Dorr mountain, which at 1270 feet (390 meters) is the third highest peak on  Mount Desert Island.   Now as mountains go, that isn’t very big, but keep in mind that you begin these hike at or near sea level so it provides sufficient challenge, especially to a relative novice like me.

There are numerous ways to reach the summit of Dorr.   Two of the approaches involve long staircases of stone carved into the mountainside; trails designed by the earliest trail designers and builders.   These designers included George Dorr, considered the “father of Acadia”.   He was one of the first wealthy “rusticators” (as they were referred to) whose family vacationed on the island.   He was a lifelong bachelor and in the end used most of his family’s fortune in the pursuit of securing Acadia’s future as a National Park.    So it seems only fitting that he have a mountain named after him!

The trail I decided to take is called the “North Ridge Trail”, and avoids those pesky ladders attached to boulders that send me straight into an anxiety attack.    The trail while steep was not as daunting in terms of technical difficulty as the ascent I made up Pemetic a few weeks ago.   The first section of the trail follows the fire road through old growth Hemlock forest.   I saw some fallen trees that had to be sawed in order to keep the fire road clear, and had to wonder just how old those trees were and what they had been witness to over the years.

Within 20 yards of leaving the fire road and heading up the North Ridge Trail, the trail becomes rock to rock stepping, climbing the whole way.   A “huffer and puffer” for sure as one of my friends describes these mountain hikes.   Along the way, I saw wild blueberries and a shrub that looked to be in the rhododendron family blooming.

The trees had really pushed their leaves during the past week, and my sping allergies weren’t helping my breathing any (that’s my excuse and I’m working it all the way).    As I paused to look behind me, I was amazed at how green the valley had become, seemingly overnight!

As you can see from the photo above, a cruise ship (and that’s one of the smaller ones) looms large in the harbor.    They will be a routine sight from now until the end of October.   The next photo gives you a different perspective of the harbor and valley from the summit of Dorr, and gives you some idea of how steep the ascent was.

Cadillac mountain sits just to the west of Dorr and a long, deep gorge seperate the two.   Cadillac, the tallest peak on the island rises an additional 250 feet (76 meters) above Dorr.   Here is a shot looking across the top of Dorr toward Cadillac.   I could see the  reflection of the sun bouncing off car rooftops as they drove (the nerve of them) up Cadillac.

This was one of the calmest days (breeze wise), that I’ve had on the island; and as the temperature rose to 75 degrees (24 c), I was longing for that wind.    I didn’t linger too long at the summit, as I was eager for the relative cool of the forest below.    Going down sure was alot easier than going up and I enjoyed spectacular views until I hit the tree line.

THANK YOU MR. DORR!!     Your dedication and generosity have allowed millions of people to enjoy this beautiful place.   Thank you for sharing your mountain with me.

Sometimes it’s better………

Sometimes its better to see how far you have come, then to look at how far you have yet to go.

 

 

I hit several big milestones this week:

1.  This is  my 100th blog post!!

2.  I passed  400 miles (643.73 km) walked!!

3.  I am six months (1/2 way) into my original one year commitment of living on Mount Dessert Island!!

 

Today I decided to hike up Dorr mountain, which is the third highest peak on the island.    I didn’t get as early a start as I wanted to, and it was forecast to be a warm day (for Maine in May), and I wasn’t 100% certain I wanted to hike up Dorr today, but I tackled it anyway.    The hiking guide refers to Dorr as Cadillac’s “little brother”.   Well, Cadillac’s little brother kicked my butt today.   I don’t do well when I get hot, and I was hot (which always makes me grumpy).   But I was determined to get up that mountain, since the last time I tried ( a different trail up) I was defeated by the dreaded steel ladders.

So as I’m slogging my way up the mountain, the saying “Sometimes it is better to look at how far you have come then to think about how far you have yet to go”, came to mind.   I don’t know if someone important or famous said that, or if I just came up with a variation on a theme, but the quote below (that I DID find) seemed to compliment my thinking nicely.

When the road ahead seems too long, look back to see how far you’ve come. For, even if the hill before you is steep, the view gives you hope to finish the journey.   Kessler, Daniella

 

I would not say that after six months here, I am a “new woman”, but I am a woman more at peace with the hand life has dealt her, and that (for me) is a huge step (or however many steps are in 400 miles) in the right direction.

So today, I am looking at how far I’ve come, not at how far I have yet to go!   And on that note, a few more notables.

*Numbers are approximate*

• 2000 images shot with my Canon and iPhone
• 38 (of 45) miles of carriage roads hiked (several, numerous times) and ALL of the bridges found and photographed
• 8 summits attained, in no particular order:  (Kebo, Day Mountain, Great Head, Pemetic, Dorr, Champlain, Gorham, the Triad)
• No injuries, of consequence (in other words I didn’t need to be carried off any mountains)
• 125 volunteer hours (Friends of Acadia and Jessup Library)
• 50 books read

I’m sure there are others, but these are the accomplishments that spring t mind as I think about my time here.   Thank you for joining me on this journey.  We forge ahead and look to the horizon.

 

 

 

 

With the best of Intentions…….

With the weather beginning to warm, I’ve really been making an effort to walk at least 3 miles six days a week.    I’ve been skipping out on yoga class the last couple of weeks because the tendons in my ankles and feet have been acting up, and being barefoot aggravates the inflammation.

But, I’m determined to “walk” through this.   I’ve gained eight pounds since I got to Maine, and even though I’m more active than ever, my metabolism appears to have hit a plateau, so I’m trying to rev it up again by getting out there and doing some more “vertical” walking.  (being a woman over 50 is SO glamorous)

Along the "Tarn" trail, aka Kane Path

And so it was with this intention that I set off along the Kane Path which begins by following the shore line of the “Tarn” (Scottish for small mountain lake).   I’ve been itching to do this hike since I got here because it looked like so much fun – stepping from rock to rock the 1/2 mile length of the pond and then circling Dorr Mountain  (named after one of the Park founders).   I’m travelling light for this hike (as I like to do on my first pass), with only my cell phone, some water, and walnuts (for energy food).

I’m off to a great start and even see an otter, who gave me a nasty scolding, after I apparently startled him.   I’m stepping along these beautiful granite boulders carefully, as it is all too easy to misstep and end up with a sprained (or worse) ankle.   As I walked along I was reminded of the importance of “walking with intention”, of paying attention to each step, purposeful of what you are doing, “awake” to that moment.

Step with intention

The hike is going well enough, and I’m thrilled with my “otter encounter”, and then I come to a “crossroads” on the trail.  Now I remember from my guidebook, that the hike I “intended” to take continues along the Kane Path.  However, there is this lovely sign that says “Dorr Mountain Summit – 1 mile” leading up and away to my right.   I know this will be a climb, but it addresses my “intention” to rev up my metabolism and help shed those pesky pounds.

The trail itself is a marvel.   The entire length of the trail has been constructed out of granite steps, ledges, and ramps – I can only begin to imagine the work involved in building this.   My research upon returning home informs me that the trail was originally built in 1893, then restored in 1930.   1200 steps and ramps make up the climb to the summit!!

So, I’m climbing, and climbing.     Dorr mountain is the third or fourth tallest mountain on the island at 1270 feet.    The hikes begin virtually at sea level.   It isn’t difficult climbing, for the most part, the steps are very manageable, and they are ice-free and only a few of them are damp and leaf covered.   I’m taking my time, but still getting a good work out.  I can see the summit, even though the fog is starting to roll in.

Approaching the summit

About this time I’m thinking to myself,  “I’m going to do this!”.   I come to an opening between two HUGE boulders where I literally have to turn sideways to get between them, I get through this virtual tunnel, turn and there is a steel ladder bolted into the rock face going straight up.  I’m not ashamed to tell you, I cried a little.   I don’t mind ladders per say, but this one was on a rock face from where I could look 1000 feet down to the valley floor.   The rock face is wet, I’m by myself.  I check my cell phone – no service, so if I fall or get stuck, I’m screwed.    I decide that sometimes wisdom really IS the better part of valor, and after agonizing over go or no go for five minutes, I turn around and descend the way I came.        I even had one foot on the first rung, and one hand on the rail to the left, but just couldn’t do it.   And I’m sorry, but I was too traumatized to even take a picture of the stupid ladder.

 

Back the way I came!

All was not lost, as my little otter friend greeting me on the way back along the Tarn, literally swimming parallel to my walk (but too far out to get a good picture with only my cell phone camera available) for almost the entire half mile.   AND, I got a good cardio workout.   When I researched the trail, I learned that there are THREE ladders that “provide safe passage over several FORMIDABLE boulders”.   So even if I HAD braved the first one, I would have been faced with two more!    So, I felt I made the right decision, and besides, there are two other ways to get to the top of Dorr mountain that do NOT involve ladders.

The lesson I take away from today’s hike is:   Do your research before heading uphill.

I INTEND to take THAT lesson to heart!