ABANDONED TRAILS OF ACADIA NATIONAL PARK: GREAT HILL - BRACKEN TRAIL, Acadia National Park

BRACKEN TRAIL - ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

At one time the Bracken Trail began at the corner of the Eagle Lake Road - RT 233, and the Cleffstone Road. The trail made its way through the woods close to route 233, before crossing the Park Loop Road. The Trail than ran a short ways through a field, moving to the right, and once it reached the woods it turns left and makes its way to Duck Brook Bridge Road. From There it crossed the road and ran through the woods, passing along the back side of Brewer Mountain before reaching the area by Breakneck Ponds. It served as a connector trail to the Breakneck Road, Mcfarland and Young's Mountain and the Fawn Pond Trail.
Today only one section of the trail remains, and it is quickly becoming a ghost, or phantom trail. To locate it, drive from Bar Harbor up route 233 - the Eagle Lake Road, and turn into the park just before the large arched stone bridge. Turn left onto the Park Loop road and pull over at the small dirt pull over area just before the bridge. The start of the trail begins there. From the Duck Brook Bridge Road end it is extremely had to locate the trail, as it is hidden behind tree's and brush.

ABANDONED BRACKEN TRAIL - Acadia National Park

ABANDONED TRAILS - BRACKEN TRAIL, Acadia National Park

When the trail reaches some over grown sections as in above photo, just keep in mind that this trail runs in almost a straight line and the next worn section is not far ahead.

ABANDONED TRAILS - GREAT HILL - BRACKEN TRAIL, Acadia National Park

BRACKEN TRAIL - Acadia National Park

DUCK BROOK ROAD - BRACKEN TRAIL, Acadia National Park

From the Duck Brook road, the trail begins just in the woods to the right behind pole P53 15. The trail is harder to follow if you begin on this end.

DUCK BROOK ROAD - Acadia National Park

BRACKEN TRAIL GPS NUMBERS

Start of Trail
latitude           44 22'53"N
longitude         68 13' 54"W

Trail enters woods
latitude            44 22' 55"N
longitude          68 13' 56"W

slight turn
latitude            44 22' 55"N
longitude          68 14' 1"W

slight turn
latitude            44 22' 57"N
longitude          68 14' 7"W

turn
latitude             44 22' 57"N
longitude           68 14' 12"W

slight turn
latitude             44 23' 0"N
longitude           68 14' 17"W

Duck Brook Road
latitude              44 23' 1"N
longitude           68 14' 19"W