2014-07-23 A wooded hike across the park - Asticou Trail & Eliot Mountain

After our Lighthouse Tour, Gary headed home and I headed out for a short hike - about 3 miles starting at Jordan Pond, ending at Asticou Terraces, taking advantage of the free shuttle to pick me up at the other end. Jordan Pond-Asticou Trail is a mostly easy path skirting the bottom of the mountains, plus a modest climb up Eliot Mountain and no rock scrambling - a nice stretch after the previous day's 8+ miles climbing stairways. Asticou Trail had some restoration underway, and new stone steps being placed. Other than the park staff and volunteers working on the trail, I only encountered two other people on the entire walk. A peaceful stroll through serene woods.

From the back of Jordan Pond House


Start by following the trails towards Penobscot and Sargent

Trail skirts the base of Penobscot Mtn

Trail improvements in progress

The first mile or two were being restored


A beautiful walk amongst mature woods

Crossing carriage roads at several points

Penobscot Mtn South Ridge trail heads up to the right

A couple of beautiful bridges along the way

More trail construction

Placing granite steps

Using pulleys to move and position the stones

Stone stairways in place

I turned here heading for Eliot Mountain and Thuya Gardens

Still evidence of the hurricane


Much of this trail is outside the national park

Lots of options - had to reference my map several times

The cairn tells me I'm heading in the right direction

Memorial at the top of Eliot Mountain


Summit of Eliot Mountain offers peek views of Somes Sound

Several more junctions along the way

Approaching Thuya Gardens

Entering Thuya Gardens from the trail

Beautiful grounds


Manicured pathways

and beautiful flower beds

The gate into Thuya Gardens is magnificent


Heading down Asticou Terraces


I've been here before but last time it was foggy


Blue skies and what a view

The stone staircases of the terraces are spectacular



Just a few steps further to Hwy 3 where the Island Explorer will take me home

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