THE FERN TRAIL - ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

The old Fern Trail, or path as they were once called, began off of the old Gurnee Trail, I have not been able to find that small section of trail from the Gurnee Tail up to the Park Loop Road, but from the Park Loop Road over to the wet land area of the Witch Hole Pond Carriage Road I had documented a number of years ago, it is well worn and easy to follow.  Today I explored a section of woods in and around the area of the Wet Lands and located where the Fern Trail picked up again, and was surprised at just how well worn the trail was as well as in good shape, it was clear the trail gets traveled often.  The easiest way to locate the Fern Trail is at the Duck  Brook Bridge where the Carriage Roads begin, cross the bridge and straight ahead is a worn path entering the woods, the trail comes out close to the wet land area, as I exited the woods there I could not help but notice a line of rocks stops right by where the trail comes out onto the carriage road by the wetlands.  The line of rocks leads left toward the wetlands and directly across from the start of the open area of the wetlands, to the right, the Fern Trail picks up again as it leads through the woods to the Paradise Hill - Park Loop Road.  Back in the day a well worn path across the roadway would of led down to the Gurnee Trail.
So back at the Duck Brook Bridge, where did the Fern Trail go to from there?  The Fern Trail would crossed a bridge in the area of the duck Brook Bridge and entered the woods across the Duck Brook Road, and run left along the side of Great Hill, until it came to the area of the Great Hill Reservoir, where the Fern Trail would of joined the Royal Fern Trail.  The Royal Fern Trail began at How Park and ran up to the Great Hill Reservoir and from there up to the summit of Great Hill.  AA number of Old newspaper articles state that the Royal Fern Trail was not a pleasant Trail to hike, it was often wet or muddy and the ground uneven and rough with rocks and roots.

Near the end of the trail where it comes out at the Park Loop Road, just to the right, facing the mro9ad, is a small foundation, I enclosed one photo of it.

Start of Trail;
Cross Duck Brook Bridge,

unmarked trail straight ahead behind sign

Middle of path
(Witch Hole Carriage Road)
N 44 23.904
W 068 14.078

starts again across from wetlands
N 44 23.918
W 068 14.101

Path at Park Loop Road End
(by storm drain)
N 44 24.123
W 068 14.078

Old Foundation
N 44 24.079
W 068 14.055

Abandoned Fern Trail
Acadia National Park