The Ship Harbor Trail forms a figure-8 loop. Bearing right at each junction leads along the shore of a narrow, picturesque cove. After passing along a rocky headland (watch carefully for blue blazes on the rocks), the trail turns right and continues through a thick spruce woods. A right at each intersection leads back to the parking lot.
The inner loop has a surface of hard-packed gravel, with a typical width of 4-5 feet and moderate 0-5% grades, and a maximum grade of 9%. This inner loop, where it meets up with the outer loop at the center of the figure-8, has a view of the inner cove and mudflats, with an informational sign describing the flora and fauna of the mudflats environment.
The western portion of the inner loop winds through large spruce trees, and its even gravel surface is only rarey interupted by occassional small rocks or roots. The eastern portion of the inner loop follows the shore of the inner cove. This section also has mostly a gravel surface, but the path is interupted in a couple locations by check steps 2"-4" high crossing the trail, and bedrock rising up to 6" above the surface.
The outer loop has a mixed surface of gravel, dirt/forest floor, bog-bridging, and ledge. It leads to and cirlces the end of the rocky headland, offering dramatic views over the sprawling ledges to the open ocean and islands.
Why the area is called Ship Harbor is not certain. It might have been possible, at one time, for small ships to seek shelter in the cove. This trail is popular among birders. Along the coast you may see: common loons, common eiders, great blue herons, black guillemots, ospreys and eagles. The inland forest provides shelter for warblers, kinglets, and other songbirds.
At low tide, the rocky headland has numerous tidepools. When exploring the tidepools keep these safety tips in mind.
Dogs are allowed on the trail on a six foot leash.
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 Southwest Harbor, continue on ME-102 through downtown. Just past the town, turn left on ME-102A. In 3.6 miles the Ship Harbor parking lot is on the left (past the parking for Wonderland).
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