Last updated: September 26, 2024
Thing to Do
Hike Sargent and Penobscot Mountains from JPH with Island Explorer Bus
Photo by Emma Forthofer, Friends of Acadia
Depending on the route you choose the assent to Penobscot and Sargent Mountains are a challenging, and strenuous climb that is sometimes difficult, but rewarding. The hike from Jordan Pond House across Spring Trail up Penobscot Mountain Trail and then on to Sargent South Ridge Trail to Sargent Mountain is approx. 6- or 7-miles roundtrip and is made possible by the Island Explorer Bus. The trails consist of forested path, granite stairs and slopes, and iron rungs, in a mostly conifer forest. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views from two mountain summits and a picturesque pond nestled between the mountains. It is not recommended for small children, for people with a fear of heights, or for anyone in wet weather. Restrooms available at Jordan Pond House.
This 3-to-4-hour hike provides challenging trails and rewarding views. Several trails lead to Sargent Mountain and Sargent Mountain Pond in Acadia National Park. All of them are steep and all of them offer stunning views of mountain, valley, and sea. Start your experience by walking to the edge of Jordan Pond in front of the Pond House to enjoy the spectacular view of the Bubble Mountains across the lake. Cross near signpost 15 on the Carriage Road to access the Spring trail to begin your climb. You can bag multiple peaks along your hike including Sargent Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, Gilmore Peak, Parkman Mountain, Bald Peak, and Cedar Swamp Mountain if you wish to increase the length and difficulty of your hike. Including all these peaks in a single day is possible but plan in advance and be ready to dedicate many hours to hiking. Bring lots of water, snacks, and layers.
Several trails lead to Penobscot and Sargent Mountains in Acadia National Park. All of them are steep and made of boot-battering granite, and all of them offer stunning views of mountain, valley, and sea. The trails consist of forested path, granite stairs and slopes, and iron rungs, in a mostly conifer forest. Sargent Mountain Pond lies between the two peaks. It is small, tranquil and beautiful. You may wish to swim or picnic by this mountain pond.
THINGS TO DO:
Photography- The views of the Bubble Mountains across Jordan Pond are known the world over for their spectacular beauty. Along the hike, enjoy views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains where the trail opens up.
Birdwatching-Watch for soaring birds over Jordan Pond and loons in the lake. (Nearby Jordan Cliffs Trail is sometimes closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Check the park website or the Hulls Cove Visitors Center for trail closures).
Passport Stamp Collecting- Visitors can collect a passport stamp from Jordan Pond House at mile 0.0 at the start of the trek.
Historic Structures -Jordan Pond House is located on the southern end of Jordan Pond. It has been a scenic, recreational, and dining destination on Mount Desert Island since the nineteenth century.
Dining- Jordan Pond House serves tea and popovers, as it has since the 1890s, in addition to other dining options. The Carriage Road Carry takeout restaurant is located on the second-floor landing of the restaurant. It serves a light breakfast including coffee and sandwiches for lunch. The gift shop offers drinks, ice cream and other trail snacks, located on the send floor. All these dining options are open seasonally mid-May through mid-October. Enjoy superb views of the Bubble Mountains across the lake from the landing.
Restrooms- There are bathrooms at Jordan Pond House.
This 3-to-4-hour hike provides challenging trails and rewarding views. Several trails lead to Sargent Mountain and Sargent Mountain Pond in Acadia National Park. All of them are steep and all of them offer stunning views of mountain, valley, and sea. Start your experience by walking to the edge of Jordan Pond in front of the Pond House to enjoy the spectacular view of the Bubble Mountains across the lake. Cross near signpost 15 on the Carriage Road to access the Spring trail to begin your climb. You can bag multiple peaks along your hike including Sargent Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, Gilmore Peak, Parkman Mountain, Bald Peak, and Cedar Swamp Mountain if you wish to increase the length and difficulty of your hike. Including all these peaks in a single day is possible but plan in advance and be ready to dedicate many hours to hiking. Bring lots of water, snacks, and layers.
Several trails lead to Penobscot and Sargent Mountains in Acadia National Park. All of them are steep and made of boot-battering granite, and all of them offer stunning views of mountain, valley, and sea. The trails consist of forested path, granite stairs and slopes, and iron rungs, in a mostly conifer forest. Sargent Mountain Pond lies between the two peaks. It is small, tranquil and beautiful. You may wish to swim or picnic by this mountain pond.
THINGS TO DO:
Photography- The views of the Bubble Mountains across Jordan Pond are known the world over for their spectacular beauty. Along the hike, enjoy views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains where the trail opens up.
Birdwatching-Watch for soaring birds over Jordan Pond and loons in the lake. (Nearby Jordan Cliffs Trail is sometimes closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Check the park website or the Hulls Cove Visitors Center for trail closures).
Passport Stamp Collecting- Visitors can collect a passport stamp from Jordan Pond House at mile 0.0 at the start of the trek.
Historic Structures -Jordan Pond House is located on the southern end of Jordan Pond. It has been a scenic, recreational, and dining destination on Mount Desert Island since the nineteenth century.
Dining- Jordan Pond House serves tea and popovers, as it has since the 1890s, in addition to other dining options. The Carriage Road Carry takeout restaurant is located on the second-floor landing of the restaurant. It serves a light breakfast including coffee and sandwiches for lunch. The gift shop offers drinks, ice cream and other trail snacks, located on the send floor. All these dining options are open seasonally mid-May through mid-October. Enjoy superb views of the Bubble Mountains across the lake from the landing.
Restrooms- There are bathrooms at Jordan Pond House.
Details
Activity
Front-Country Hiking
Hiking: Disembark the bus at Jordan Pond House. Restrooms and water are available. Start the hike just behind the Jordan Pond House. From the Carriage Road, cross near signpost 15, cross the tiny foot bridge to access the Spring trail. For a less difficult option, begin by turning right at signpost 15 on the Carriage Road and turning left shortly afterwards at signpost 14. To continue the journey, head up Penobscot Mountain Trail one mile to the peak of Penobscot Mountain. From there, head up the Sargent South Ridge to Sargent Mountain. To complete the hike in under 4 hours, take the steep East Cliffs Trail down Sargent Mountain to the Deer Brook Trail to turn left to connect with the Carriage Road and return. Alternatively, for a less steep, safer return, go back down Sargent South Ridge .7 miles, turn left at Sargent Mountain Pond, and then descend .6 miles on Deer Brook Trail, turning right on the Carriage Road to return to Jordan Pond House.
Winds increase as you start your assent to Penobscot Mountain from Spring Trail. It is approximately a 1-hour hike to Penobscot Mountain. Spectacular views of the Porcupine Islands, North and South Bubble, Pemetic Mountain, mountains to the west, Jordan Pond below, and Sargent Mountain to the north can be viewed from atop Penobscot Mountain. From here, it is 1 mile to Sargent Mountain. Begin by descending Penobscot Mountain which leads to Sargent Mountain Pond. Small, tranquil and beautiful, you may wish to swim or picnic by this mountain pond. The peak of Sargent Pond means views of Jordan Pond are gone but instead it affords spectacular views to the north, and Cadillac Mountain. A fast descent down East Cliffs Trail to a left on Deer Brook Trail to the Carriage Road promises a quicker return to Jordan Pond House.
Winds increase as you start your assent to Penobscot Mountain from Spring Trail. It is approximately a 1-hour hike to Penobscot Mountain. Spectacular views of the Porcupine Islands, North and South Bubble, Pemetic Mountain, mountains to the west, Jordan Pond below, and Sargent Mountain to the north can be viewed from atop Penobscot Mountain. From here, it is 1 mile to Sargent Mountain. Begin by descending Penobscot Mountain which leads to Sargent Mountain Pond. Small, tranquil and beautiful, you may wish to swim or picnic by this mountain pond. The peak of Sargent Pond means views of Jordan Pond are gone but instead it affords spectacular views to the north, and Cadillac Mountain. A fast descent down East Cliffs Trail to a left on Deer Brook Trail to the Carriage Road promises a quicker return to Jordan Pond House.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Yes, on leash (6-feet or shorter) but not advised if you plan to bag multiple peaks.
Activity Fee
No
A park pass is required for any activity in the park. The pass should be left displayed in personal vehicles. Visitors are not required to carry it with them and will not be asked to show it while on the trail or riding the bus.
Location
Sargent and Penobscot Mountains from JPH
Hiking: Several trails start at Jordan Pond House. Hikers can access more trails varying in difficulty providing varied views. By hiking with the use of the Island Explorer Bus, these trails are transformed into a network of trails to multiple scenic treks around Jordan Pond and beyond.
Disembark the bus at Jordan Pond House. Restrooms and water are available. Start the hike just behind the Jordan Pond House. From the Carriage Road, cross near signpost 15, cross the tiny foot bridge to access the Spring trail. For a less difficult option, begin by turning right at signpost 15 on the Carriage Road and turning left shortly afterwards at signpost 14. To continue the journey, head up Penobscot Mountain Trail one mile to the peak of Penobscot Mountain. From there, head up the Sargent South Ridge to Sargent Mountain. To complete the hike in under 4 hours, take the steep East Cliffs Trail down Sargent Mountain to the Deer Brook Trail to turn left to connect with the Carriage Road and return. Alternatively, for a less steep, safer return, go back down Sargent South Ridge .7 miles, turn left at Sargent Mountain Pond, and then descend .6 miles on Deer Brook Trail, turning right on the Carriage Road to return to Jordan Pond House.
Winds increase as you start your assent to Penobscot Mountain from Spring Trail. It is approximately a 1-hour hike to Penobscot Mountain. Spectacular views of the Porcupine Islands, North and South Bubble, Pemetic Mountain, mountains to the west, Jordan Pond below, and Sargent Mountain to the north can be viewed from atop Penobscot Mountain. From here, it is 1 mile to Sargent Mountain. Begin by descending Penobscot Mountain which leads to Sargent Mountain Pond. Small, tranquil and beautiful, you may wish to swim or picnic by this mountain pond. The peak of Sargent Pond means views of Jordan Pond are gone but instead it affords spectacular views to the north, and Cadillac Mountain. A fast descent down East Cliffs Trail to a left on Deer Brook Trail to the Carriage Road promises a quicker return to Jordan Pond House.
BUS INFORMATION:
Departure from Hull’s Cove Visitor Center: The #5 Jordan Pond Bus takes approx. 25 minutes to arrive at Jordan Pond House.
Return: Take the #5 bus to the Visitors Center from the same spot you were dropped off. Approx. 25 minutes return.
Note: Island Explorer bus operations start mid-June and continue till mid-October. Schedules are subject to change. Refer to the website for latest information. www.exploreacadia.com
Bus Stop (mile 0.0 Jordan Pond: #4 and #5) Restroom (mile 0.0 Jordan Pond) There are well marked bathrooms in the rear of Jordan Pond House behind the gift shop. Water (mile 0.0 Jordan Pond)
Disembark the bus at Jordan Pond House. Restrooms and water are available. Start the hike just behind the Jordan Pond House. From the Carriage Road, cross near signpost 15, cross the tiny foot bridge to access the Spring trail. For a less difficult option, begin by turning right at signpost 15 on the Carriage Road and turning left shortly afterwards at signpost 14. To continue the journey, head up Penobscot Mountain Trail one mile to the peak of Penobscot Mountain. From there, head up the Sargent South Ridge to Sargent Mountain. To complete the hike in under 4 hours, take the steep East Cliffs Trail down Sargent Mountain to the Deer Brook Trail to turn left to connect with the Carriage Road and return. Alternatively, for a less steep, safer return, go back down Sargent South Ridge .7 miles, turn left at Sargent Mountain Pond, and then descend .6 miles on Deer Brook Trail, turning right on the Carriage Road to return to Jordan Pond House.
Winds increase as you start your assent to Penobscot Mountain from Spring Trail. It is approximately a 1-hour hike to Penobscot Mountain. Spectacular views of the Porcupine Islands, North and South Bubble, Pemetic Mountain, mountains to the west, Jordan Pond below, and Sargent Mountain to the north can be viewed from atop Penobscot Mountain. From here, it is 1 mile to Sargent Mountain. Begin by descending Penobscot Mountain which leads to Sargent Mountain Pond. Small, tranquil and beautiful, you may wish to swim or picnic by this mountain pond. The peak of Sargent Pond means views of Jordan Pond are gone but instead it affords spectacular views to the north, and Cadillac Mountain. A fast descent down East Cliffs Trail to a left on Deer Brook Trail to the Carriage Road promises a quicker return to Jordan Pond House.
BUS INFORMATION:
Departure from Hull’s Cove Visitor Center: The #5 Jordan Pond Bus takes approx. 25 minutes to arrive at Jordan Pond House.
Return: Take the #5 bus to the Visitors Center from the same spot you were dropped off. Approx. 25 minutes return.
Note: Island Explorer bus operations start mid-June and continue till mid-October. Schedules are subject to change. Refer to the website for latest information. www.exploreacadia.com
Bus Stop (mile 0.0 Jordan Pond: #4 and #5) Restroom (mile 0.0 Jordan Pond) There are well marked bathrooms in the rear of Jordan Pond House behind the gift shop. Water (mile 0.0 Jordan Pond)
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
The Park and trails are open 24 hours a day, but the Island Explorer bus begins service to Joran Pond at 9 am and ends service at 6:10 PM to return to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (#4 Park Look Road bus).
Accessibility Information
This trail is recommended for experienced, fit hikers only. It is not recommended for small children, for people with a fear of heights, or for anyone in wet weather.