The Big Hike on The Hadlock Brook Loop in Acadia
On yesterday’s blog, I told you about the Patron Party that I hosted for The Garden Club of Mount Desert. Once the festivities were over and things settled down, I got to enjoy some very special houseguests – my daughter, Alexis and my grandchildren, Jude and Truman. I have to admit that I am really enjoying my role of grandmother and I want to share so much of what I love with these precious beings. That includes hiking on the fabulous trails of Acadia National Park. A small group of us decided to tackle the Hadlock Brook Loop, a lovely 3.9-mile jaunt that offers level to steep grades, a pond, a waterfall, and extraordinary views. I took a new book along called The Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park, which proved to be very informative.
1 We decided to hike along Carriage Road Loop near Hadlock Pond in Acadia. It was 3.9 miles - very beautiful and intense.
2 An old photo is posted of the roads being constructed from about 1913-1940. JD Rockefeller Jr. built 51 miles of amazing roads which are in use today by many thousands of hikers, cyclists, horse-drawn carriage drivers, horseback riders, and strollers.
3 I was joined by Daisy, Patricia, Laura, Alexis, Baby Truman, and Jude. We parked in the lot next to Brown Mountain Gatehouse on Rt. 198.
4 The Hadlock Brook Loop is one of many loops in the Carriage Road System that are great for hikes of all lengths.
5 This loop rises to an elevation of 500 feet. We opted for the upward portion first, thinking we would get the hard work out of the way.
6 Jude loved both the walking and the swinging high.
7 We met a volunteer crew on the trail. The crew was repairing a wooden boardwalk portion of the Upper Hadlock Pond Trail. These six-inch-thick planks should last for years on the forest floor, which is good as they protect the delicate understory from all the foot traffic.
8 A large group of volunteers was ready to do a lot of work.
9 The first bridge on this loop is the Hadlock Brook Bridge, a magnificent granite structure built in 1926. This 40-foot bridge is one of 16 bridges spanning gorges and streams in the park. This was modeled after the bridge in NYC's Central Park at 59th street.
10 Charles P. Simpson, a local engineer, was hired by J.D. Rockefeller to build the bridge system, linking all the carriage roads. Every bridge is unique and sturdy and cleverly designed. He was succeeded by his son, Paul, in 1921. The ends of the bridges are marked with piers that are bold and imposing.
11 The date stone marks the year of completion - this one being 1926.
12 Baby Jude was carried by Alexis when she was tired from hiking. I must say that she's a great hiker for a 16-month-old.
13 The road continued to climb and climb and Daisy, just like a child, kept asking how much longer the hike was.
14 Along the hike are wonderful natural sights - rock ledges, deep forests, soaring spruce, and fir trees.
15 The trail heads are marked with carved wooden signs, like these - sturdy posts with names, mileage, and direction.
16 Large stones mark the edges of some of the roads that drop off. The stones are referred to as 'bears' teeth,' or 'Rockefeller Teeth.'
17 Another directional sign - great for hikers!
18 Close to the top of Hadlock Loop is this magnificent view of Upper Hadlock Pond and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
19 Signposts like this numbered one, are excellent road and trail markers.
20 At the top we were afforded a bit of relief with the beginning of a gentle descent.
21 From one loop road a hiker can go in many directions and stay outdoors for an entire day. Just be sure to take plenty of water and food.
22 These carriage roads were very scientifically constructed following the best method of the time - 16-ft-wide, three deep layers of stone - a thick layer of surge stone, a less thick layer of crushed stone, and a gravelly topping. The roads were built to withstand rain and damp, crowned in the middle for erosion protection and beauty, and provided with culverts for run-off water.
23 Approaching the second bridge of the loop - The massive Hemlock Bridge, rises from the forest floor like an imposing wall of cut stone.
24 The piers of this bridge are round and massive. Stone for this bridge had to be quarried elsewhere and hauled in at great cost.
25 One giant Gothic arch creates a scenic backdrop for the forest of giant hemlocks growing on this site. The arch span is 30-feet across.
26 The Maple Spring Brook below is pretty dry at this time of year but in the spring, the water gushes violently down these rocks to the pond and sea beyond.
27 As you can see, the river bed is quite dry.
28 Another signpost offering more hiking options
29 A trail marker with burnt wood imagery.
30 Completed in 1925, the stone piers of Waterfall Bridge are massive and beautifully constructed. Very little damage has occurred to this structure.
31 The this is the tallest waterfall in the park, almost bone dry at this time, but impressive in size nevertheless. The bridge was constructed to take advantage of the view, the falls, and the natural beauty.
32 Sitting on the edge of Waterfall Bridge, which is 125-feet in length, with new guide book in hand, called Carriage Roads - I learned so much reading this book on the hike.
33 Baby Jude fell fast asleep during the last mile of the hike - her blue Crocs are so cute!
34 The downward slope - almost to the parking lot
35 The final signpost - What a glorious walk! I cannot wait to hike all the other loop roads.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
great scenery,as always.
happy b'day!
Posted by: liisamarja | August 3rd, 2012 at 12:32 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARTHA, AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY, MANY MORE!!!!!!!!
And, I hope I'm around to help celebtrate, (from all these miles apart), everyone of them.:)
I really like all those stone bridges on the trails, ans the scenery is beautiful. You must have some really beautiful country around there.
Enjoy your birthday to the fullest.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 3rd, 2012 at 12:41 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARTHA, AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY, MANY MORE!!!!!!!!
And, I hope I'm around to help celebtrate, (from all these miles apart), everyone of them.
I really like all those stone bridges on the trails, and the scenery is beautiful. You must have some really beautiful country around there.
Enjoy your birthday to the fullest.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 3rd, 2012 at 12:42 am
Thanks for posting your Acadia hike photos Martha. I remember the bike trip my partner and I enjoyed and our travels along these loop trails.
Patty
Posted by: Patty Noble | August 3rd, 2012 at 2:09 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Posted by: bill | August 3rd, 2012 at 3:46 am
What a legacy for Mr. Rockefeller, the engineer, and the stone masons! In Istanbul, where I live now, there are similarly magnificent stone bridges designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
There is an incredible Nobel prize-winning novel about the importance one such bridge played in the life of rural Balkan people. I would love to recommend it to those who loved the bridges in this blog post of yours: http://empty-nest-expat.blogspot.com/2011/07/ottoman-empire-from-other-side-as-told.html
Posted by: Karen | August 3rd, 2012 at 5:54 am
Happy Birthday Martha! Enjoy your day! I want to say thank you! I have learned so much from you over the years. I am looking forward to your new show on PBS.
Posted by: dididdle | August 3rd, 2012 at 6:36 am
Happy Birthday Martha, hope your day is full of good food, fabulous friends, and belly hurting laughter. Thanks for all of your blogs, I read them daily and learn so much from everyone of them. I adored the garden party from yesterday and how lucky you are to have such a precious granddaughter and Lexis. I personally have 8 grandchildren and I get to see all of them about once a week. One of my grandsons turned 7 years old yesterday, time flies by so fast.
Enjoy your weekend, and make it FABULOUS!!!!!
Posted by: Pamela | August 3rd, 2012 at 6:55 am
Spectacular blog post Martha! By the way, Happy, Happy Birthday!!! I wish you many more to spend with your beautiful daughter and grandchildren! I always enjoy when you blog about the carriage roads in Acadia National Park, it's so beautiful. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for sharing your life with your fans Martha, and have a wonderful day celebrating your birthday! Hugs, Cindy Ferguson
Posted by: Cindy F | August 3rd, 2012 at 7:05 am
Happy Birthday Martha! Have a wonderful Day.
Posted by: Bernadette | August 3rd, 2012 at 7:28 am
Looks like it was a wonderful hike. Brings back many happy memories of Acadia National Park. My husband and I vacationed in Bar Harbor some years ago and had a marvelous time.
I'm so glad you do not show the babies faces(or in focus). Safer that way, yet still manages to capture their presence in your life.
I wish you a very Happy Birthday, Martha and many, many years of joy and great health!
Posted by: Julie | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:07 am
Martha, have a wonderful birthday and all the best for the year to come. Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos!
Posted by: Laurie P | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:26 am
Happy Birthday Martha!!
Wishing you continued health and happiness!!
Your blogs are a great way to start my days, thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures.
Posted by: Grace B | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:33 am
Lovely photos of a great even in Acadia Park. Years ago made hike with our mother, Our sons, and assorted friends and family up Bear Butte in Black Hills of South Dakota. Think I am inspired to get my grandson and go again.
http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/bear-butte/
Happy Birthday Martha and every year you are better..
Posted by: ann | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:57 am
Hi Martha, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY to the best grandmother I have ever seen and I also wish you many, many,many more!!! Thank you so much for sharing your fun time hiking on The Big Hike on The Hadlock Brook Loop in Acadia with Alexis, Jude, Truman and your other friends!!! I love all of these terrific photos and how cute Jude looked walking along most of the 3.9 mile hike! Would have been fun to see more closeup photos of Jude and Truman-they are both so darling!! I love that new book you were reading on the hike-"The Carriage Road of Acadia National Park" and I will look for it next time I go to Costco! Photo #3 is so cute with Jude ready to push her brother, Truman on the hike! All of your photo comments were superb and I would love to be there, too! Photo #12 is so darling with Alexis carrying her daughter, Jude for a while! The weather that day was wonderful! You look so happy in photo #32, Martha! Photo #33 of Jude finally resting after walking about 2.9 miles is so charming! Sure hope Alexis, Jude, and Truman are with you today to help you enjoy your Birthday! Hope you have a fantastic day and a great weekend, too! Off to see The Daily Wag and "A Recent Farm Inspection!" Love to You and your Family, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 3rd, 2012 at 9:15 am
Martha,
Happy Birthday to you! I hope your day is GRAND!
`
The hike look like a lot of fun and I'm glad you could share it with you daughter and grand children.
`
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:04 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Vivian Price | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:34 am
Happy Birthday Martha ... It's my Mom's birthday too!
Posted by: Peg Judd | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:48 am
How wonderful to spend time hiking with your daughter and granddaughter!
It makes a birthday all the more special.
Great memories to last forever!
Posted by: Nancy | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:13 am
Happy Birthday, Martha! I hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you so much for enriching our lives with all of your experiences. I have learned so much from you over the many years that I have been following you. I am looking forward to your PBS shows in the fall. I'm sure I will learn a lot.
Posted by: Cheryl T | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:30 am
Happy Birthday Martha. I thank you for all the wonderful information you give on EVERYTHING! I am always learning from you. I can't imagine TV without you. Who will we go to? There is no one like you and that's why we love you.
Posted by: Pat | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:49 am
Hi Martha,
Enjoy your birthday - my son's a Leo also born on the 15th.
Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:58 am
Happy Birthday beautiful lady. Thanks for your pictures with us. I was amazed with them.
Malú
Posted by: Maria Lùcia | August 3rd, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Todd Wiggins Facebook
BIG fan. Great Lady. I do enjoy and your work and am excited about your new cooking show.
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y
Posted by: Todd J Wiggins | August 3rd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Happy Birthday Martha,Hope you have the most lovely Birthday,Love all the pictures of your homes,especially the farm and all the animals,I also injoy the Daily Wag and your little dogs adventures-Have a great day,Fran
Posted by: Fran Danville | August 3rd, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Wishes to you & your family in a beautiful spot!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | August 3rd, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Hi Laura, For some reason my comment for Martha on today's blog didn't show up! I sent it at 9:14 AM and the number was 79047. Sure hope you find it, please. Thanks, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 3rd, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Martha, there is no greater joy and experience in life than being a grandmother. My grandchildren have brought me so much happiness. When they are little and exploring the world, you get to explore it with them and see the world through their eyes. Savor every moment while they are little because they grow up so quickly!
Posted by: Jean Vogel | August 3rd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
My husband and I passed you (and your daughter) going opposite directions several years ago . We talked briefly about our climb up the Beehive because we had seen the park on the show. We have been back several times. It is a beautiful place. If ever I need information, a recipe, literally any answers I try MarthaStewart.com first. Have a wonderful birthday. Rem
Posted by: Rem Bridgford | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Warmest birthday wishes, Martha. You are having a wonderful birthday, your family is with you. :^) May you have many, many more birthdays.
Posted by: Diane Braund | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:20 pm
What a lovely day you all had. Thank for sharing the photos. Hope your birthday was extra special! Hugs.....
Posted by: Tina Lewis | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Happy birthday, MARTHA!! Wishing the perfect day! You are my idol and thanks for all you do for us moms.
Posted by: tina | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Happy birthday, Martha!
Posted by: Scott Frazer | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Happy Birthday beautiful wonderful Martha
Posted by: Mari Lisicki | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:31 pm
A VERY Happy Birthday to you!
Natasha
Posted by: Natasha Z. Hensel | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:34 pm
happy birthday too you .happy birthday too you. happy birthday too you. martha and Minnie Minnie Minnie more... love xoxoxoxoxoxox too you...
Posted by: Michael James ifft | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Lovely spot. Thanks for sharing the photos of your family. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Beth Sheppard | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Enjoyed your photos.
The nature scenes are just beautiful, and it is so nice to see you enjoying time with family. I would love to see more photos with you in them, if you have any more. Years ago my dad took us to the Arcadia National Park. He always new how to take us to fun and scenic locations. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful times with all of us. And happy birthday. 
Posted by: Faye | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:47 pm
This would be a great hike in the Fall!
Posted by: Nancy Perkins | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Happy Birthday Martha!!!!! I usually send you a birthday card, but just moved to Rhode Island, and am still unpacking!!!!! xoxo
Posted by: Gaye McNown | August 3rd, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Happy Birthday Martha, Have a wonderful day
Posted by: Michele | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:02 pm
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Wishing you a day of contentment.
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Enjoy the anticipation of a brand new 365 ........ already standing in order for you to color up with your own days' design!
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Andrea and the Weimaraners
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Posted by: andrea j. spencer | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Hi Martha, For some reason my comment s to this blog today never did show up. I did send a message to Laura but guess she didn't find it and she printed that comment at 4:12PM so I will try to make a new comment from today's blog post. First of all, I wish you a very Happy Birthday and hope you had a great day today! I love your latest blog about the great hike with Jude, Truman, and Alexis plus other friends! All of your photos were so much fun to see and I love the ones of Jude, Alexis, and you! That had to be a super, terrific hike! Hope you had a nice birthday meal with all your family and friends! I got your September Living Magazine today and I love the cover with you and Jude!! Thanks for sharing such a great blog! Hope you have a great weekend! Love to you and your family, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Happy Happy Day! Looks like the trail was just perfect.
Posted by: sharon from sharon stanley writes | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Margie | August 3rd, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Happy Birthday Martha, it's also our Wedding Anniversary of 49 years today and on 7/11 being grand parents again after a 9 year wait... I couldn't wait to be called grandma no nana for this person it's a privilege to be a grandma in my eye's. Do enjoy your role of grandma and wear it with pride girl...
Posted by: Barbara Dosemagen | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Ahhhhh.... always a great hike for a Birthday! Or, better yet a hike that ends at the Jordan Pond House + popovers for all. Tail Wags,
Moose
Posted by: Denise | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Happy birthday Martha! enjoy your special day!
Posted by: Linda Peper | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Happy Birthday Martha and many many more!!! I Hope you had a wonderful day with Alexis, baby Jude and Baby Truman!!!<3
Posted by: ADRIANA WEISBERG | August 3rd, 2012 at 11:43 pm
My girl scout troop sailed to Mt Desert Island, on the Victory Chimes ship in1962. We visited N E Harbor and several others. I still remember how beautiful it was there.
Happy birthday to you..enjoy...
Posted by: Carol Hoyt | August 4th, 2012 at 12:30 am
Happy Birthday, Martha! LOVE The pictures from Acadia. Thank you for sharing them with us! Love the Daily Wag too! Such fun, inspired me as you always have! Best to you and your family!!
Posted by: Regina Reese | August 4th, 2012 at 12:46 am
The best part of this post is reading that you went out with your grandchildren. I still smile when I think about how one of the most generous public figures, who has brought so much joy to other families and children, now has grandchildren of her own.
Posted by: Pamela Chan | August 4th, 2012 at 2:32 am
Happy Birthday, Martha! - You know I still love you.
- Call me and let's get together. Let's do dinner in NYC somewhere. You name the place!
Love always,
Edd
http://www.eddtownsend.com/withlove.html
Posted by: Edd Townsend | August 4th, 2012 at 3:08 am
Thanks for posting pics of ANP! Couldn't make it to Maine this year-but next year my husband and I will be hiking ANP for my 15th anniversary
Posted by: Elizabeth Reiller | August 4th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Happy birthday, Martha! Thank you for sharing your hike with us. It's wonderful to have grandchildren.
Posted by: Karen Knust | August 4th, 2012 at 7:22 am
Yes.HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTHA!. Love the trails..I have been to the jordan Pound.What a great hike @Arcadia...Love the views can not wait to get to Bar Harbor.Enjoy.
Posted by: darlene Martinez | August 4th, 2012 at 8:45 am
Hi Martha, I don't think my comment from yesterday went through, so I am trying again.
I hope you had a happy Birthday! It was delightful hearing you speak at BlogHer'12.
I have three grandchildren. Isn't it amazing how these little creatures get into our hearts?! Six years ago when my son first told me they were expecting, he asked me what I wanted the baby to call me. Appalled at the concept of being a grandmother, I replied "Mrs. Cooper." I never anticipated falling in love so hopelessly. (btw, it's Nana now)
Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis impacts the activities I share with with my grandchildren, but I hope to impart as much of a legacy as possible in the time we will have together.
Posted by: Marie | August 4th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Hi Martha, Laura, and all involved in this special Martha blog post we all love to see! Thank you so much for finding my lost comment from August 3rd and posting it today! You are all very special, inspiring friends who do so many wonderful blogs for all of us to enjoy! My favorite way to start each day is to read Martha's blogs and be able to comment everyday! Thanks a million! Hope all of you have a great weekend! Love you all, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 4th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Gorgeous day! Happy birthday Martha I am sure it was an amazing day with you grand children. So Blessed. Best wishes wish you an amazi g and successful year. Regards xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | August 4th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Happy Birthday Martha! Love Jude's little crocks...my grandboys wear them as well and i love seeing little feet toodling about in them.
An absolutely gorgeous trail to hike!
Posted by: sherey | August 4th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Thank you for this post. We just returned earlier this week from our visit to Acadia and Bar Harbor, and we were both feeling a bit Maine-sick this afternoon, missing the carriage roads and trails, and LOBSTER so much. We love our Pacific Northwest home, but Mt. Desert Island has become like family to us. Your photos brought back lovely memories for us. A highlight for us was a blissful bicycle ride around Eagle Lake with a side trip to Witch Hole Pond. But then, our sunset kayak excursion on Long Pond was spectacular, as well. Heck, each moment was a high point. It is time for me to print my photos and maybe make a slide show.
What a great gift to your grandchildren to share this beautiful place with them.
Posted by: Julie | August 5th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Wonderful Wonderful Post...oh thank you so much. I adore wildlife and the beauty of water and surrounding sights. One of most favoirte things in the whole world is the enchanting and mystical Loon. Their series of calls and the translation of them is such a harmoneous sound in either the morning burst of dawn or the gleams of twilight. I love them so.
Many, many happy birthday wishes to you Martha. I know you received many gifts, but you have to be one of the most beautiful gifts to so many of us.
Great celebrations on your special day and through out the year ahead.
Becky
Posted by: Becky | August 6th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Great Job Martha, The God give you a chance to act a rol of grandmother and now Its upto you have beautifully you will play this rol, Carry On welldone Martha.
Your friend Khan
Posted by: KHAN MUZAMMIL | August 8th, 2012 at 8:22 am