Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, ME

Hiking

In 2014, while I was staying in New Hampshire, I took off for 10 days to travel up to Maine. I hadn't been to Maine, except to go to LL Bean in Freeport, in over 30 years. Acadia National Park was nothing like I remembered as a young teenager and a bit over-crowded for my taste but it's a place you have to visit at least once.

After Acadia I went to Baxter State Park, Moosehead Lake, and Mount Katahdin (The highest point in Maine at 5,270").

A hazy view of Frenchman Bay's islands from a rocky summit in Acadia National Park, framed by low shrubs

The absolute best time to hike in Acadia is early in the morning. I'd have the trails to myself from 7am until about 11am. I managed to hike over 30 miles in the 5 days I was there. Unfortunately, I didn't have many clear days but the view was still impressive.

Wild blueberries growing low among reddish foliage on the summit rocks

During early August the place is covered with wild blueberries. They are, hands down, the best blueberries on the planet. I'd hike a few feet, eat a handful, hike a few feet, eat a handful. (*laughs)

A forested valley and distant islands seen from a granite summit in Acadia National Park

Close-up of orange and green lichen covering granite rocks, with islands visible in the hazy distance

I really liked the lichen growing on the rocks.

A red lobster boat named Tiger Shark docked in Bar Harbor, with a tall ship sailing past in the distance

A wooden pier reaching into Frenchman Bay at Bar Harbor, with sailboats anchored offshore

I camped in Blackwoods Campground (with a tent) and would take the free shuttle into Bar Harbor to have a few drinks at the Cottage St. Pub. Their signature drink is called "Dirty Water". Made with Absolute Wild Tea, St Germain, lemon, and iced tea it's a yummy (strong) refreshing drink after a long day hiking. :)

A wooden trail sign for "Cedar Swamp Mtn." overlooking a forested valley and distant bay

Trail signs atop Sargent Mountain, with Somes Sound and the surrounding hills spread out below

A view of a forested lake from a granite summit in Acadia National Park

The pink granite cliffs and rocky shoreline of Sand Beach in Acadia National Park

A tide pool full of seaweed among the rocks along the Acadia coastline

A lighthouse keeper's house on a rocky point along the Maine coast, with a sailboat passing by

The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse rising above the rocky, pink granite cliffs

The cliffside Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse in Acadia National Park, located in the village of Bass Harbor, marks the entrance to Bass Harbor on the southwestern side of Mount Desert Island.

Mount Katahdin reflected in a still lake at dusk, seen from Baxter State Park

Mt Katahdin and Baxter State Park are well known for Moose sightings and people gather at dusk here to await their arrival. Unfortunately I didn't have much luck that night.

A waterfall cascading over layered rock in a forested gorge in Baxter State Park

Mount Katahdin rising above the Penobscot River, with anglers fishing from the bank

A young bull moose with velvet antlers drinking from a marshy pond

A young bull moose standing in tall grass, looking toward the camera

This young bull moose was only about 20' off the dirt road I was on. He was still in the velvet stage... and those specks on him aren't dirt.. it's hundreds of biting flies. Every time he'd move they'd swarm up into a cloud then quickly settle back on him. (*poor guy)