McFarland & Youngs Mountains (Acadia National Park)

McFarland & Youngs Mountains (Acadia National Park)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Distance: 3.0 miles
Elevation: 745 feet
Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Acadia Ascents

The Hike
After spending a few hours shopping and packing for my second annual solo Acadia trip, I found myself so excited to already be there so I left a day early! I had originally planned for four days and three nights at the Belle Isle Motel, but now I was adding an extra day and night at the scenic Ellsworth Walmart parking lot, which would afford me the time to spread out some of my hikes. My goal for this trip was to finish the "Acadia Ascents" hiking list - a challenge to hike the original 26 peaks of Acadia National Park. I chose to do these two mountains first because I dreaded them the most. I've never hiked mountains without any official trails, so I was very nervous about this one and prepared to be miserable for three miles. Thankfully I was quickly proven wrong! I parked at park headquarters, which already felt wrong, made eyes at a turkey, and started my hike! It started with a short road walk, hop across a "do not block" gate, and a dip into the woods. The "trailhead" wasn't broadcasting itself, but once I noticed it it made sense. The trail starts in the woods for just a second before opening up to a beautiful area where the whole climb is.
 

I know McFarland Mountain used to be a ski area, maybe this is an old ski run? Not sure. The footpath was always clear heading up the mountain with grasses tickling my ankles (and thankfully no ticks). The climb was steady and never too steep, but got my sweat pouring (which truly doesn't take much). The views quickly start on this climb with Sargent taking the primary spotlight, but other peaks also pop in to say hello. The main climb turns into a scrubby, lichen-y ridge walk with occasional views on the right. It was so peaceful being up there all by myself! I believe the summit was marked with a cairn, and if not, I will still choose to believe it was! Soon after the "summit cairn," the trail starts to steeply descend into the col between McFarland and Youngs.
 

The col is less defined than the previous section of trail, but still generally straightforward. The forest here is tall and open, compared to the scrubby forest up on the ridge. The trail is only in the col for a short moment and then begins to steeply climb up Youngs. This climb was shorter and led to a similar, gorgeous scrubby ridge area. After some more ridge walking the trees open up to a beautiful view toward Frenchman Bay. I took some time here to enjoy the view, enjoy the solitude (which I knew was not going to last once I got to the more popular peaks), and wring out my soaked shirt. 
 

The return trip went smoothly and was very uneventful. There is a herd path down the side of Youngs to turn this hike into a loop, but I enjoyed the hike in so much I turned right around and retraced my steps. I did lose the trail once on the ridge of Youngs and once coming down McFarland, but it was easy to retrace my steps and get back on path. This hike was such a highlight just because it was such a lovely surprise! I will definitely be back. I later learned, while seeking attention by making a facebook post in the "Acadia National Park Hiking" group and getting the post declined, that the park has asked the group to not allow posts highlight unmaintained trails - visitors are welcome to hike them, but the park does not want them publicized. I always wonder what causes a park to abandon trails.

Step-By-Step

• Park at Acadia National Park Headquarters (567 Eagle Lake Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609).
• Walk back to Eagle Lake Rd., cross road and turn left.
• After guardrail, turn right onto gated gravel road.
• Soon after starting the walk on the gravel road, turn into woods on herd path, follow the whole time, paying extra attention on the return trip.

Photo Album