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Date: September 10, 2008
Contact: Gary Stellpflug, 207-288-8760

In the next few weeks, the Acadia National Park (ANP) trail crew will be replacing many of the intersection and trailhead signs on the park trail system. Initially this work will begin on the west side of Mount Desert Island. The project will continue into the 2009 season, and is part of the larger rehabilitation effort underway through Acadia Trails Forever, the partnership with Friends of Acadia.

This work is in response to the guidelines set forth in the ANP Hiking Trails Management Plan (2002). The significance of various historical names is a component of the park trail system’s history. In many instances, the original names contribute to the character and history of the trails. The current names of all the trails in the park were carefully examined and evaluated, particularly with regard to their historic origin.

Some examples of these changes include: replacement of the present name Dorr Mtn. East Face Trail with Schiff Path and Emery Path; Flying Mtn. Trail dividing into its historical Flying Mtn. Trail name to the summit of Flying Mtn. and Valley Cove Trail north of the summit, referencing the Civilian Conservation Corps work along Valley Cove. Also, on the east side of MDI, the term “path” was used quite often to reflect highly constructed trails. Therefore, many trails presently referred to as “trail” on their signs will return to the term “path,” such as Gorge Trail to Gorge Path, Beachcroft Trail to Beachcroft Path, and Stratheden Trail to Stratheden Path.

For information on this project, the Hiking Trails Management Plan, or the guidelines in the Acadia Trails Treatment Plan (2006), please contact the trail foreman, Gary Stellpflug, at 288-8760.