There’s Always Plan “B”

I got up early Saturday to get out on the trails for my first “real” hike in weeks.   Over the last few nights, the temperatures have been cooling off to below 60 degrees (15.5 C) which make for cooler early mornings and better hiking.

So off I head to the Hadlock Pond area.

 

For this hike, I like to hike up the mountain using the carriage roads, and then hike back down the mountain following the stream trail.    It was quiet this early, only a few bicyclists passing me along the carriage road and no one (other than red squirrels) along the trail.

I was so excited to be out and about, I lifted my camera to take my first picture of the day and…………………..nothing happened.    Dead battery.   Now, if you enjoy taking pictures, this is kind of oversight is just inexcusable.    This is the first time since I’ve moved to Maine that I have allowed this happen.   And because I travel light for my hiking, of course I did not have my back up battery with me.

So, on to plan “B” it was.    Any photos I was going to be takingthis morning would be done using my iPhone (which is carried more for emergency texting, calls, and its compass then for its camera).    But it’s a beautiful day, I’ve taken pictures of these bridges and this hike before – it’s not a big deal.

At the apex of my climb (for this day), there are two lovely bridges; Waterfall Bridge and Hemlock Bridge.      The waterfalls here in Acadia are very rain dependent and the last few weeks have been quite dry, so there was barely a trickle.   But still, a relaxing spot to take a break.

 

For comparison, below is a picture I took back in January.

 

For the second part of this trail, I generally follow the Maple Spring trail that leads down the mountain side, but today I decide to follow the Hadlock Brook trail which also heads down the mountain.  It is a typical Acadia trail full of pine needles, leaf debris, tree roots, and rocks.

 

So, I’m enjoying my hike, when I come to a “cross-road” in the trail, which points me either left or right.   Now where did I put that trail map?   Oh, it must be the same place as my back up camera battery – not with me!!   On to plan “B”,  (which is winging it) I go  left.   As it turns out, going to the left takes me back up the mountain – not where I want to go.   The stream bed is incredibly low and dry and I know that following it will take me down the mountain and eventually intersect with the carriage road, so off I go.

 

As it turns out, this may not have been my best decision of the day (although it is early),  and it’s getting humid and buggy.   But I’m wearing long sleeves, and long pants, have my sturdy hiking shoes on, and I know where I’m going so I am determined to persevere.  It feels like a long time (but probably isn’t), and sure enough I’m back on the carriage road again, and some easy walking.

I even found this lovely little red leaf near the end of my hike, another sign that fall with its cooler hiking temperatures is not that far away!   I am totally ready to get back into my “hiking groove”!

The Final Two…………bridges, that is.

I am happy to report that I have finally seen ALL 17 of Mr. Rockefeller’s bridges, and hiked all but 8 miles (out of 57 miles) of the carriage road system.

These last two bridges are located on what is commonly known as the Jordan Pond/Sargent Mountain carriage road.    Reaching them is a steady two + mile gradual uphill hike, but the payoff is worth it.    Both bridges are lovely, and the Deer Brook Bridge is especially stunning in its design and setting.     The mist and fog on this day made for an “otherworldly” setting in which to observe them.

 

 

 

 

Deer Brook was running especially fast and high from the rain we received on Monday, and it made for beautiful scenery.

 

The two bridges were built within a year of one another, with Deer Brook Bridge being built in 1925 and Chasm Brook bridge in 1926.  The date stone on the Deer Brook Bridge was unique, the only one I’ve seen (or noticed) that is round.    It’s a little tough to read in this photo, but you get the idea.

 

 

After being completely charmed by the bridge and waterfall at Deer Brook, I hiked on to Chasm Brook.   Much less grand in stature, it is charming in a much more humble way.  What really  impressed me about this bridge is how it seems to spring out of the rock face, which you can see in the 2nd photo, below.

 

 

 

 

The carriage roads and the bridges that grace them are one of the many things that make Acadia unique among America’s national parks.               I know I will continue to visit and enjoy the wonderful legacy of  Mr. Rockefeller and his roads.