We hiked
Jordan Pond Trail, an easy 3.5 mile path around the pond, starting at the parking lot for the Bubbles. It was about a half mile on a wooded trail to the shore of the pond, then we headed counter-clockwise around the pond.
Jordan Pond is water supply for Seal Harbor and has very clear water, 45 foot visibility. On the east side of the pond, the path is about 1.5 miles of nearly level, almost wheelchair accessible trail, then after rounding the north end, the west side of the pond is about half a mile of rock trail - no scrambling but folks unsteady on their feet may have a challenge with this section and the remaining 1.5 miles of cedar plank around the rest of the pond. I think this is a great hike for kids (also big kids like me)!
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| Start of the Bubbles Trail, we headed left to Jordan Pond |
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| Wooded path over to the pond |
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| At the junction with Jordan Pond Trail |
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| Easy level path to the north end of the pond |
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| small bridge at the north end of Jordan Pond |
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| The rocky trail heading down the west side of the pond |
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| More of the well laid out rocky trail |
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| The remainder of the west side is cedar planks |
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| Walking on planks for about 1.5 miles |
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| Beautiful path |
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| We had the trail almost to ourselves |
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| Looking back at "The Bubbles" |
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| Carriage Road Bridge at Jordan Pond House |
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| Arriving at the south end of Jordan Pond |
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| View of the Bubbles from the south end of Jordan Pond |
Jordan Pond House is known for tea and popovers; someday we'll stop in for some!
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| Heading up to the Jordan Pond House from the shore of the pond |
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| Taking a brief snack break at Jordan Pond House |
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| The gift shop at Jordan Pond House is cool! |
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| Heading back up the east side of the pond |
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| Crossing the outlet at the south end of the pond |
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| I can see why this is one of the most photographed places in Acadia! |
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| Continuing up the east side of the pond - easy stroll |
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| Back at the junction to our parking, a paddler enjoying the pond |
I still had plenty of energy left after this easy hike, so while Gary took the easy path back up to the Bubble parking lot, I headed up the 400ft climb to the top of
South Bubble to see the iconic "Bubble Rock". This big rock (8-12 tons, about the size of a living room) is a different kind of granite from 40 miles north; it was deposited by glacier at the top of South Bubble. The climb up from Jordan Pond to the top is a very fun trail - short and sweet! A bit of steep rock scrambling and then WOW the view across Jordan Pond all the way to the ocean.
Starting up South Bubble...
Up a bit more...
Already a lovely view over the pond...
Keep climbing up...
Now the pond is far below...
Still more up...check out the rock steps through this fissure...
And now the vista is grand...
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| Looking south across Jordan Pond to the Cranberry Isles |
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| Looking towards the north end of Jordan Pond |
Just a bit more up...
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| That's the Acadia Scenic Loop road on the left |
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| Bubble Rock, looking north towards Eagle Lake |
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| Bubble Rock looking south to the sea |
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| summit of South Bubble |
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| Easy trail back down to Bubbles parking lot - this is the way most people come up |
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