メインの天然記念物・トップ20

Impressive

The Tarn is a glacial meltwater lake. It is in a valley between two peaks, Mt. Dorr and Huguenot Head. The lake was primarily used as a trout fishing site, but as the water level has been steadily declining, it is now primarily used as a source of live bait.

Sieur de Monts is often referred to as the "Heart of Acadia". Includes the Sieur de Monts Spring and Spring House, Nature Center, Wild Gardens of Acadia, Abbe Museum (closed), The Tarn, Great Meadow Wetland, and access to several historic trails. It is the first major stop along the Park Loop Road. https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/sieur-de-monts.htm The Nature Center is open mid-June to mid-October. See: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/hours.htm

In the early 20th century, Charles W. Eliot and George B. Dorr recognized the natural beauty of Mount Desert Island and the need to preserve it. Dorr purchased the Sieur de Monts Spring area in 1909 and named it the Wild Gardens of Acadia. The current gardens were created in 1961 by dedicated volunteers. More than 400 native plant species can be seen. Divided into thirteen sections, they represent the natural plant communities of Acadia National Park. The gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset. https://friendsofacadia.org/visiting-acadia/activities/wild-gardens-of-acadia/visitor-information/

The "Dike Peak" lies along the "Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail" south of the small mountain lake "The Featherbed". However, the small elevation is not included in the statistics of the "26 peaks in Acadia National Park". The "Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail" follows the ridge west of the summit down to the depression at 'Fetherbed Lake' and then over the 'Dike Peak' and 'Eagles Crag' to the 'Champlain Drive'. On the way down you have a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

The Tarn pond to the east of Dorr Mountain was formed from a glacial meltwater lake. For many years the pond was used to farm trout. The dry summers in the 1990s reduced the water volume and led to an increase in aquatic plants. The pond is now increasingly swampy and is no longer used for fishing. https://www11.maine.gov/ifw/docs/lake-survey-maps/hancock/the_tarn.pdf

At the end of the 19th century, Desert Island became a tourist attraction. The Green Mountain Cog Railway, a cog railway, was in operation from 1883 and took tourists to the summit of Green Mountain, today's Cadillac Mountain (from 1918), where they could enjoy the breathtaking view. The railway ran from Eagle Lake to the summit over a distance of around 1.8 km. When passenger numbers declined, the railway service was discontinued in 1891. In the following years, the railway line was completely dismantled. Today, only remnants of the route remain. The Buckboard Road was built in the late 19th century, leading up to the summit along the north ridge. However, the journey was only possible by horse-drawn carriage and tourists preferred to walk up the mountain. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/secrets-of-the-summit.htm The paved ‘Cadillac Mountain Road’ was completed between 1929 and 1932. The more than six kilometer long route is considered an exceptional example of construction work in mountainous terrain. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/motor-road-history.htm

This is one of the easiest summits on Mount Desert Island, but the views do not disappoint. From the very top you can see north to Champlain, Dorr, and Cadillac mountains (from east to west), and you get views of Sand Beach from an overlook not far down. There are often lots of families with children on the trail in the summer. Those looking for more of a challenge should be sure to check out the Cadillac Cliffs Trail.