Plenty of MDI trails to choose from as hiking season starts

Spring’s arrival means one thing to hikers. It’s time to get outdoors and hike. Time to put away the ice ax, crampons, skis, and snowshoes and swap into trail runners or hiking boots. Nothing says spring to a hiker like putting that winter gear away and hitting the open trail.

Most hikers use spring to warm up for the coming season. If you start now, those fast twitch leg muscles that have been kinked up all winter will keep you balanced and sure-footed by summer. An early season hike makes the longer miles of later in the year easier. OK, maybe not easier, but not as hard.

Of all the trail networks in the state, Acadia National Park may be the best resource for early season hikes. It’s nearby, the trails are the first to clear of ice and snow, and they’re well signed and maintained. Usually crowded in summer, in spring the trails in the park are absent of the throngs of summer visitors. If you go to Acadia now, you could have the trail to yourself.

Here’s a of hike that starts on the western side of the island that’s sure to get those winter atrophied legs into early season shape. The views from the trail aren’t as dramatic as those on the mountains east of Somes Sound, but they’re still great.

Finding the trailhead

The trail starts at a trailhead outside the town of Southwest Harbor. Take Route 102 at the head of the island. Head for Southwest Harbor. Less than a half-mile outside of the village, take a right on the Seal Cove Road. At the crossroads, in less than a mile, take a right on the Long Pond Road. Follow it to the end of the road at Long Pond. There’s a small parking lot beside the pumping station for Southwest Harbor’s water supply. The trail starts here.

Perpendicular Trail

This trail is a direct, steep, moderate trail that leads to the summit of Mansell Mountain, elevation 949 feet. Probably the most unique feature of this trail is a 200-foot section of stone stairs, cribbing, and stone culverts. The up-and-back time is about a couple of hours for the mile-and-a-half hike. For a longer loop of a little more than three hours, not counting stops, and a mileage total of close to four miles, take the Razorback Trail from the western side of the summit.

On the trail: The trail starts on the western side of the pumping station. As you face Long Pond, turn left. Look for a signpost that says Great Pond Trail. That’s the start of all the trails leading to the forested slopes of Western Mountain, of which Mansell Mountain is part. Follow the trail, as wide as a carriage path, down the shore for about a quarter-mile. There’s a signpost on the left that reads Perpendicular Trail. Take it.

The start of this trail is very steep. It ascends over a former rockslide through a series of stone steps. The steps are noteworthy for their length and precise construction. They wind through the slide for around 200 linear feet. It’s almost like climbing a spiral staircase, as it cuts back and forth through the slide. There are coping stones lining the stairs and the sides are cribbed in and held with iron pins. It’s one of the masterful trail works in the park. There are good views of the west face of Beech Mountain, across the pond.

After leaving the stairs the trail passes a small cliff face on the left. It descends for a short way, then goes up again, though not as steeply. At the top of the next rise, there is a great view on the right, looking southeast. From this view, you can look over the cliffs on the west face of Beech Mountain. The length of Long Pond is visible, almost beneath your feet.

Continue on for a short distance to the summit, which has no views as it’s forested with spruce and fir. Turn back here to return to the parking area, without making the loop.

To make a loop, there are a number of possible variations. The shortest loop with great views connects with the summit at the sign. From the sign, pass the Mansell Trail on the left, soon after crossing the summit to the west side. After a short descent, there’s a sign on the left that reads The Razorback. That’s the trail to connect the loop back to the car. The view from here of Bernard Mountain across the Great Notch is commanding.

The Razorback is a solid granite ledge that descends gradually for several hundred feet along the trail. Although the name sounds like the trail is exposed and steep, it’s not really. There are great views looking south to Swan’s Island and the village of Southwest Harbor.

The trail then enters a fine spruce-fir forest and descends gradually for the next mile or so to the bottom of the mountain at a seasonal road, the Western Mountain Road. Cross a small gravel turnaround on the road, known as Gilley Field, and look for a signpost on the left marked Cold Brook Trail. From here, it’s a short three-quarter-mile forest walk back to the pumping station and the car. The total loop distance is around four miles.

This hike is only one of several combinations of trails to take to explore this side of the island, known as the “backside.” Bring a map, a lunch, and wear appropriate clothing for spring hiking. You could find your own routes to lead you to the little-used network of trails on Western Mountain.