A wooden footbridge from the Nature Center, to the left of the Wild Gardens of Acadia (which features the native plants of Mount Desert Island), provides access to the Jesup Path. A right on the path parallels the Gardens.
After crossing the Hemlock Path, the Jesup Path utilizes a beautiful and much-photographed boardwalk through a boggy, white birch forest. The boardwalk is of a flat grade, and is built to be wide enough for a wheelchair. There is a smooth transition between the gravel trail surface and the boardwalk with no lip. Along the boardwalk, there are information panels describing various aspects of the wetland enviroment and the plants and animals which inhabit it. There are also numerous locations along the boardwalk where there are platforms off to the side with seating, providing places to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
The boardwalk ends just before the trail once again crosses the Hemlock Path. The Jesup Path continues through the Great Meadow to the Park Loop Road. Across the Park Loop Road, a right on the Great Meadow Loop leads to the next junction with the Hemlock Road, allowing a loop to be made. A right on the Hemlock Path across the Park Loop Road again leads back through the Great Meadow, passes the Jesup Path boardwalk, and leads through a forest of large hemlocks for which the path, originally a road, was named. The Hemlock Path ends at the Sieur de Monts parking lot.
George B. Dorr, the Father of Acadia, considered the Sieur de Monts to be the "Heart of Acadia". The large hemlocks survived the Fire of 1947 which swept over the east side of the island burning 17,000 acres. Ten thousand acres were in the park. The Sieur de Monts area is a great place for bird watching during the spring and summer. Bats are common during the summer evenings. Barred owls can be seen and heard year around.
Dogs are allowed on this trail on a six foot leash. (They are not allowed in the Wild Gardens.)
Geocaching is prohibited within Acadia National Park; however, the park does sponsor an EarthCache Program for those seeking a virtual treasure hunt!
Visit Acadia National Park online for more information or contact:
Starting from ME Route 3, turn off at the Hulls Cove Entrance to the park and the beginning of the Park Loop Road. Follow the Park Loop road 2.8 miles before turning left onto the one way section toward Sand Beach. Exit the Park Loop Road at Sieur de Monts, take another right turn immediately, following signs to the Nature Center. The walk begins to the right of the Nature Center, across a wooden footbridge.
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