It was our first day in Acadia National Park and Mr. Desert Island. We woke up to a beautiful bright day, and after breakfast, set out for the park.
The first part of the park that you encounter as you enter is the Park Loop Drive which is on the east half of Mt. Desert Island. It takes you past almost all the high traffic sections of the park like Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond and its hiking trails, the Bubbles, Thunder Hole, and the little town of Northeast Harbor.
Cadillac Mountain
The first stop was Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic coast and the first place in the US where you can view sunrise from October to March. At 1500+ feet, it is not really that high. However, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding bay and islands. Also, the drop in temperature even in summer was dramatic. At the base of the mountain it was 87F’ that morning. However, on the top with winds it was about 49F’. So bring a coat or jacket, you will need it.
Continuing along the Park Loop, you come to Jordan Pond and the historical Jordan Tea House. Finding parking in the car lot is tight so bring your peaceful, calm side. It can be frustrating and this was just the early summer season for tourists. The Park Service does offer a free shuttle service to various parts of the park. So check their website for more info and schedule on this service to explore Acadia National Park.
Jordan Pond House
The Jordan Pond House traces its history from 1847. A man by the name of William Bennett built the first road to the pond in 1836. He had bought the land to start a logging business. He built a house and two mills. Three years later the Jordan brothers bought the property. They operated the mills for many years, cutting and sawing the heavy growth of timber which covered the valleys and sides of the mountains.
In 1847 they built the original farm-house which forms a part of the present Jordan Pond House. The Jordan Pond House was founded as a restaurant by Mr. Melvan Tibbetts in the early 1870’s. People would ride out in their carriages on the weekends from Bar Harbor to the pond. The Tea House would serve refreshments to people on the grounds while they hiked or admired the views. Both the Pond and the Bubbles are visible from the Tea House, which still serves food today in Acadia National Park.
The Bubbles
Two small mountains on the northern end of Jordan Pond are called The Bubbles. They are asymmetrical pink granite hills that were abraded and smoothed on the northern side. Also, they were quarried—rough and steep—on the southern side by overriding ice. The mountains got their name because of their unusual shape. When viewed from the southern end of Bubble Rock Jordan Pond, the twin mountains look bubble-like. They are different from most other mountains on Mount Desert Island. Rather than the typical elongated shape of most mountains there, they are instead more round.
Bubble Rock or the Balance Boulder is perched precariously on the southeast corner of the summit of the South Bubble. This large rock was transported from the area around Dedham, Maine and left in its current position as the glaciers receded thousands of years ago. Bubble Rock is clearly different from the rocks on which it sits. Bubble Rock is made of white granite rather than the pink granite that makes up the Bubbles and the surrounding mountains in Acadia National Park. It is called a glacial erratic.
Hiking Trails at Jordan Pond
The Bubbles are accessible from two trails. There is the much steeper Southern Trail that leads from the Jordan Pond Loop Trail to the summit of the South Bubble. It is a short hike, .6 miles, and offers wonderful views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The Bubble Trail is short, about four-tenths of a mile, and not very steep. It is quite accessible and starts in the parking area right off of the Park Loop Road. The trail doesn’t offer any views until the summit of either mountain. Both the North and South Bubble peaks are accessible from the trail. Note that there are no restroom facilities at the trailhead.
A carriage road on the western side of Jordan Pond provides spectacular views of the mountains. Also, there is a hiking path surrounding the pond. Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail is a 3.4 mile lightly trafficked loop trail and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Half of the hike along the pond shore is very manageable with easy pathways. However, the path then gets very difficult for older or unsteady hikers and children. There are lots of climbing, elevated and narrow plank walkways, and difficult terrain so check which side of the lake suits your hiking style.
Northeast Harbor Village
Our next stop was the little village of Northeast Harbor, which is located on the southern tip of Mt. Desert Island. The village was extremely quaint filled with art galleries and eateries. We stopped at 123 Main Street Restaurant for ice cream and coffee, and a walk down to the marina. Really lovely and off the main track so there were not many tourists that day.
An interesting side note is that this part of the world was settled by Quakers among other religious groups seeking a peaceful life in the New World. There is also a Quaker Friendship House in Northeast Harbor. Quakers do not believe that meeting for worship should occur in any special place. They believe that “where two or three meet together in my name, I am there among them” (Revised English Bible, Matthew, Ch 18, v 20). Therefore meeting for worship may take place in any place.
Thunder Hole
Final stop for the day was on the east part of the Park Loop Drive in Acadia National Park. We parked and hiked about a mile by a sea-side trail to Thunder Hole. This is a natural rock inlet where waves crash with a thunderous boom and high-flying foam when seas are up.
Went back to the hotel and changed for dinner at a local eatery just outside of Bar Harbor called the Chart Room. It features classic New England seafood, pasta, and prime rib on the menu at this casual indoor/outdoor eatery. The wine was very good and dinner hit the spot. During the summer, they recommend reservations – 565 Eden St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, chartroombarharbor.com, (207) 288-9740.
Next – Western side of Desert Island.
Historical info by Wikipedia.
Copyright 2025, Carey-On Creative, LLC, Atlanta, GA. Tripswithjames.com is a trademark of Carey-On Creative, LLC. All photos by James Carey.
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