Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For the next several miles the Loop Road is two-way. Scenic vistas out
over Frenchman Bay at handy pullouts begin almost immediately. In-
terpretive plaques at the pullouts explain the terrain and give snippets of
history. One describes the devastating Great Fire of 1947, which black-
ened tens of thousands of acres in October of that year. Much of the pres-
ent vegetation on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island shows the
natural succession that follows such a disaster.
As you near Cadillac Mountain, bear left
where the Loop Road becomes one-way. The
speed limit is 35 miles per hour. On the one-
way sections parking is allowed anywhere in
the right lane, so watch the Mario Andretti
moves around slower traffic.
The road skirts the base of several mountains with great views out over
the bay and of forests, fields and marshes. If you have time, stop by Suier
de Monts , a natural spring where the park has built a nature center.
You'll discover the Wild Gardens of Acadia , with their self-guided tour
of area flora, and the Abbe Museum of Stone Age Antiquities .
All along the Loop Road parking areas, small streams, and hiking
trailheads beckon to be explored.
Continue eastward up the north flank of Champlain Mountain . The
large industrial-like complex to the left is the Jackson Laboratory , one
of the foremost cancer and genetics institutions in the world. The next
pullout is called the Champlain Overlook after French explorer Sam-
uel de Champlain, who visited the area and named the island in 1604.
The road continues past the 800-foot cliffs on the east side of Champlain.
A trail, which is really more of a non-techinical climbing route, goes up
the face. Called the Precipice , this route is often closed in summer when
endangered Peregrine falcons nest upon the high rock ledges (see page
254 for more details).
Soon you'll hit the Acadia fee station, which collects entrance fees of $10
per car for a seven-day pass. If you want to duck out early, go left just be-
fore the station and follow the signs back to Bar Harbor. This is also the
way to the Schooner Head Overlook . The view is great, and from the
parking area a winding path heads down to one of the park's secret won-
ders - Anenome Cave .
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