This Month in Acadia

An education Park Ranger instructing students along the Schoodic shoreline.
An education Park Ranger instructing students along the Schoodic shoreline.

Register Now! Family Nature Camp at Schoodic & Acadia Field School - Acadia National Park and College of the Atlantic invite you to rediscover nature through the lens of science, art, and the power of place. To learn more about these weekend adventures, visit Family Nature Camp at Schoodic or Acadia Field School.

 

These images and text highlight current programs, events, and scenery occurring in Acadia.

 
A cool afternoon icing on Eagle Lake, looking south at Pemetic Mountain on the left. - December 30, 2011
A cool afternoon icing on Eagle Lake, looking south at Pemetic Mountain on the left.

DRHunt/NPS

December 30, 2011 - The weather has been windy and cool after a brief snowstorm and then rain. Much of the snow was washed away in the rain, but the lake edges are still frozen and snow and ice cover much of the higher elevations. Skiing and snowmobiling has been put on hold for now, but the trails and carriage roads are accessible by foot. Dress warmly for wind and cold, wear study shoes, and watch for icy surfaces. Visit Temporary Closures for updated information on park access and Winter Activities for maps and information on winter activities in Acadia.

 
'A' is for Grosvenor Atterbury, a New York architect and designer of the Jordon Pond Gate Lodge. This 'A' decorates the window shutter on the lodge. - December 8, 2011
'A' is for Grosvenor Atterbury, a New York architect and designer of the Jordon Pond Gate Lodge. This 'A' decorates the window shutter on the lodge.

DRHunt/NPS

December 17, 2011 - Acadia held an open house at the Jordan Pond Gate Lodge on Saturday, December 17th, from 10am to 2pm, during which about 250 visitors dropped in and explored the lodge. Events included; presentations on the history of the gate lodge and the granite used in its construction, a walking tour, and a stone cutting demonstration. For the news release and more details visit Open House at Jordan Pond Gate Lodge.

 
An old rock wall and the farm house at the Carroll Homestead - December 8, 2011
An old rock wall and the farm house at the Carroll Homestead - December 8, 2011

December 8, 2011 - The Carroll Homestead is quiet now, but it's easy to imagine the hard work of an early homesteading life in Maine. In the shade of old apple trees, you'll find piles of rough rock, remnants of wooden fencing, and open spaces that were once occupied with livestock and buildings. The house still stands and is open to the public during the summer months, showcasing presentations about homesteading in Maine. The gate is closed for the winter, at the entrance along Route 102, but you can access the site on foot.

 
A rainy day on the Ocean Path along the Park Loop Road - December 6, 2011
A rainy day on the Ocean Path along the Park Loop Road - December 6, 2011

DRHunt/NPS

December 6, 2011 - It often rains in Acadia during the early winter, but the Ocean Drive along the Park Loop Road is open as weather and safety permits. The Ocean Path meanders along the Ocean Drive and the seashore, from Sand Beach to Otter Point, and can be accessed along most of its route. The clouds may cover the views of the mountains, but the rythmic atmosphere of splashing waves, dropping rain, and the shuffle of feet on gravel and rock exposes the dynamic nature of the landscape.

 
Ocean waves wash the shoreline on a bright and chilly morning at Sand Beach. - December 2, 2011
Ocean waves wash the shoreline on a bright and chilly morning at Sand Beach. - December 2, 2011

DRHunt/NPS

December 2, 2011 - A quiet morning at Sand Beach, the first stop along the Ocean Drive portion of the Park Loop Road. Hikers crossed the beach to the Great Head Trail, leaving footprints in the sand. The rhythm of the ocean waves and the warmth of the sun offered a brief respite from the cooler weather of early winter.

 
Artist Jamie Smith, sketching the Cobblestone Bridge - November 27, 2011
Artist Jamie Smith, sketching the Cobblestone Bridge - November 27, 2011

DRHunt/NPS

November 27, 2011 - Hiking Acadia's carriage roads during the winter months of the year offers unhindered winter views of the surrounding hills and streams. The leaves have fallen and the views widen. During the early winter months, the snows fall and occasionally melt, allowing easy passage along trails and carriage roads. Dress warmly and wear sturdy, water-proof footwear, the area is still damp and windy.

 
A beaver pond along Duck Brook Road - November 25, 2011.
A beaver pond along Duck Brook Road - November 25, 2011.

DRHunt/NPS

November 25, 2011 - A beaver pond along Duck Brook Road is still and clear on a partly sunny day. The beaver den and surrounding landscape was recently coated with snowfall. The beavers are active throughout the winter gathering food and exploring the quiet landscape.

 
Snow Storm at Acadia Park Headquarters
November 23, 2011
Snow Storm at Acadia Park Headquarters
November 23, 2011

DRHunt/NPS

November 23, 2011 - A snow storm arrived at Acadia Park Headquarters on the day before Thanksgiving, causing a temporary closure of park roads. The Winter Visitor Center at park headquarters was also closed for the afternoon to allow employees to travel home safely. The Visitor Center and the Ocean Drive portion of the Park Loop Road was re-opened on November 25th.

 
University of Maine, Orono students pose for a team photo during the 2011 Take Pride in Acadia Day event. - November 5, 2011
University of Maine, Orono students pose for a team photo during the Take Pride in Acadia Day event. - November 5, 2011

DRHunt/NPS

November 5, 2011 - University of Maine students and their crew leader pose for a team photo on a carriage road, along Eagle Lake. During this year's annual Take Pride in Acadia Day, volunteer leaf-rakers cleaned out carriage road drainage ways to help prepare a portion of Acadia's 44 miles of historic carriage roads for winter. This is an annual event co-sponsored by Friends of Acadia. For more information about volunteering in Acadia contact the Acadia Volunteer Coordinator at (207)288-8716.

Last updated: March 31, 2012

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