As a result of the effects of Tropical Storm Hannah, which deposited 5.24 inches of rain in the park on Mount Desert Island and 7.59 inches at Schoodic, most of Acadia’s carriage road system and fire road system were closed early Sunday morning because of major washouts. Most affected on Mount Desert Island was the Seal Cove Road, which cuts across the island from Southwest Harbor to Seal Cove. Several sections of that road were totally washed away and it could take two weeks to repair. On Schoodic Peninsula, the Schoodic Head Road was also greatly damaged, and repair of that road may take three weeks. Other dirt roads have reopened, including the Long Pond fire road, the Lurvey Spring Road, and the Lake Wood Road.
The carriage road system was also impacted by the storm, with many washouts resulting from the intense rain. All have reopened for foot traffic. As of Monday evening, the Day Mt. loop, the Witch Hole Pond loop, and the section of carriage road between Jordan Pond and Bubble Pond had reopened for biking and horseback riding, as well. The Eagle Lake section of the system may be open in two days. All other carriage roads and fire roads continue to be assessed and will be opened when it is determined to be safe to do so.
For current information, call Acadia at 288-3338 and press “0," or check our website at www.nps.gov/acad.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
