Hiking “the Tarn”

When I’m short on time, and want a nice, quick, scenic workout, I drive the short distance to the outskirts of town, and hike a one mile (each way) section of what is called “The Tarn” trail.   A tarn is “a small lake located at the base of a mountain”.    And indeed that is what this is.   Located at the base of Dorr Mountain, the Tarn fills the area between the mountain and Route 3.

The trail follows the water’s edge, and while you don’t gain altitude, you get a nice work-out from clambering over and around the rocks that make up the trail.

On occasion I have seen otters here, but on this morning it was just me and the rocks.  The leaves were having their “last gasp” of color for the season.   And although it was overcast and blustery, it was still warm enough to get by with just a fleece jacket.

It has been a mild October thus far.   But with the days growing ever shorter, I know that it won’t be too much longer before the colder temperatures and winds are here to stay for a while.

October at Eagle Lake

Although we have yet to have a frost here on the island, the days are definitely getting cooler.    Yesterday morning was chilly and the wind was blowing, but I was determined to get out for a good, long hike.

I was hoping to find some nice shots of changing leaves to photograph.   Although you can hike a carriage road loop, my plan involved a couple of detours so my hiking distance was going to be around 7 miles (roughly 11km).   That’s pushing my limits for one hike, but it was a beautiful day and I had plenty of water, energy bars, and time.

On my detour over to Bubble Pond I passed this lovely little marsh area.

 

 

When I got to Bubble Pond, I found that the angle and brightness of the sun were not favorable, so I settled for  playing up the dramatic clouds and mountains that surround Bubble Pond in black and white.

 

 

For my return trip around the south and west shore of  Eagle Lake, I took the Lake Shore path, which while beautiful is a trail fraught with obstacles of rocks and tree roots.   See if you can spot the blue blaze trail signal in the picture below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Arrives in the Great Meadow

Driving the park loop road late in the afternoon, I got supremely lucky when the sun broke through the clouds  illuminating the area known as “The Great Meadow” in Acadia National Park.   A fog bank was hanging over the eastern end of the mountains which helped to make the sky even more dramatic.   I even got to play park ranger by helping a group of older hikers who were disoriented reconnect with the appropriate trail and get back to their vehicle.    A good, no make that “GREAT”  way to end the day!