Tag Archives: acadia-national-park-hiking

Maine Strong! Virtual race with medals aids MDI, Millinocket

With businesses and non-profits hurt and tourism down from Mount Desert Island to Millinocket, a new Acadia to Katahdin Virtual Race links people from around the world in support of the regions, behind the rallying cry of Maine Strong! Featuring fundraising for area charities, a special “Maine Strong” award with sparkly ribbon, and support of […]

Rash of Acadia National Park vandalism: Illegal blazes, painted rocks

As many as 50 illegal spray-painted blazes marred Champlain North Ridge Trail this summer, and a host of similar off-color marks have been found elsewhere in Acadia National Park. Among other recent acts of vandalism taking away from the visitor experience and violating park rules: Painted rocks being hidden for others to find and share on social media; face masks and dog poop bags littering hiking trails; Bates-style cairns knocked over; and rocks randomly stacked.

Acadia hiking accident new ordeal for New York nurses

Kerrie Molloy and John Candela visited Bar Harbor last month to unwind after working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic in New York, but the longtime nurses instead faced a new crisis in a horrifying Acadia hiking accident while descending Pemetic Mountain. Molloy suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung and fractured bones when […]

Acadia hiking boosted by new historic rock steps, innovation and lights

The Valley Cove Trail is set to soon reopen for a summer Acadia hiking season for the first time in five years, following an extensive rehabilitation that gives new life to the historically important trail along Somes Sound. The Acadia trails crew also did major work on Kurt Diederich’s Climb, Beachcroft Path, Seaside Path and around Bass Harbor Head Light, keeping the more than 155 miles of historic Acadia hiking trails in shape for the millions of visitors in coming years. Find out how your favorite trail has been improved, or learn about a new one you’ve yet to explore.

Acadia during the pandemic: crowds, hiker rescues and no camping

It’s almost like there’s no pandemic, judging by the latest news out of Acadia: Traffic closed the road to Cadillac, injured hikers needed to be rescued, and cars waited 20 minutes to get through the Sand Beach entrance station. And the park still plans a trial run of a new vehicle reservation system in October. But plans to open Blackwoods and Schoodic Woods on Aug. 1 are off the table, with all Acadia campgrounds not opening this year – all sure signs of the impact of COVID-19.

Maine quarantine order rocks Acadia vacations, life on MDI

For frequent Acadia visitors like Deni Farr and Mount Desert Island lodging operators like Kristin Hutchins, Maine’s 14-day quarantine order has upended life as usual. Acadia opened June 1 with rangers wearing face masks and providing info under an open-air tent, but visitors and business owners await Gov. Janet Mills’s final plan this week to boost tourism. Acadia amid COVID-19: Another in a series

Acadia National Park navigates new era for iconic lighthouse

Acadia National Park is poised “any day now” to take over the vacant Bass Harbor Head Light Station, setting the stage for a new era for the iconic lighthouse, one of the most popular attractions within the park’s boundaries. Ahead of becoming the new owner, Acadia is weighing recommendations in a new study of Bass […]

Amazin’ Maine Virtual Race with medals a new way to socially distance

Giving a new meaning to social distancing, the Amazin’ Maine Virtual Race brings far-flung family and friends virtually near, alone together, on a magical virtual tour of Acadia to Katahdin and along the coast from Lubec to Ogunquit. With Acadia National Park closed until at least June 1 and the cancellation yesterday of what would […]

Katahdin and Acadia holiday gift ideas for that special someone

Making your list, checking it twice, and looking for special Katahdin or Acadia National Park holiday gift ideas for someone nice? How about a discounted Acadia National Park annual pass, a 2020 moose calendar by a Millinocket wildlife photographer or an Acadia to Katahdin Virtual Race entry with a special lobster and moose finisher’s medal? Whether you start your holiday shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday or Giving Tuesday, here’s a special selection to help raise funds for charity, support local business and bring memories of Maine home for the holidays.

9 peregrine falcon chicks fledge at Acadia, Precipice Trail now open to hikers

peregrine falcon chicks

Nine peregrine falcon chicks fledged at three nests at Acadia National Park in 2019, helping clear the way for the popular Precipice Trail to open. Four of the chicks fledged from the Precipice on the east face of Champlain, while three fledged from Jordan Cliffs and two from Valley Cove. That is more than last year, bringing the total up to about 150 chicks that have fledged in the last 28 years.