Pink (Granite) Cadillac (Mountain)

At approximately 1500', most would not call Cadillac Mountain tall, though it is the highest point within 25 miles of the shoreline on the North American continent from Cape Breton to Mexico.

The most prominent feature of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, the mountain is known as the first place in the United States to see sunrise, though that is only true from mid-autumn through late winter.

The geology of the mountain is such that the granite on Cadillac Mountain is much more erosion resistant than most of the other layers of rock on Mount Desert Island, and hence forms the highest point, after millennia of glacier ice erosion. The pink granite has high concentrations of feldspar and is a very fine granite, unlike most of the other formations in the region, especially those found on the Cranberry Isles (seen here) to the southwest, which are more volcanic and millions of years older than the Cadillac Mountain granite.

One of America's smallest national parks, Acadia is, nonetheless, a fascinating place to visit and a real treat for explorers, photographers and day-trippers, alike.

Acadia NP - Peaceful Vista

The trail around the Bubble Rock Overlook in Acadia National Park is short but fairly steep from either approach. At the south end of the granite outcropping on South Bubble is this view of Jordan Pond and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Once a playground of the elites, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park have become a popular tourist destination with people seeking "the first sunrise on America" from Cadillac Mountain, and the pleasant hiking and bicycling along the carriage roads constructed by John D. Rockefeller. The pink granite, spectacular views, and pleasant summer weather make Acadia a worthwhile visit for anyone wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of the urban world.

Jordan Pond from South Bubble

Jordan Pond was formed by an ice sheet and is kept as a freshwater pond by a moraine, seen here, as well as a small dam.

The lake reaches a maximum depth of 150' and has 3.6 miles of shoreline. With visibility that can go as deep as 60' (note the clearly visible quillwort/pondweed in the lower left) it's a unique geographic feature in Maine, and a frequently visited part of Mount Desert Island.

The Jordan Pond House (toward the upper left of the frame, here), was originally built as a farmhouse, but transformed into a restaurant, made famous by summer events held by the Titans of the Gilded Age: the Rockefellers, Morgans, Fords, Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Astors.

After the Great Depression, World War II and a calamitous fire in 1947, the restaurant became a popular tourist stop in what became known in 1929 as Acadia National Park.

It's far more common to see images of the place I'm standing to take this shot - 'The Bubbles' from the Jordan Pond House vantage. I must admit, I did not find my way to that location. I had a limited afternoon in this portion of the park, and with it being the first 70° day in this part of Maine, this year, I took advantage to hike the mountain for the great vista. It is easy to see why Acadia was the first National Park designated in the Eastern United States. If you have an opportunity, I highly recommend a visit!

Golden Hour in Acadia

When shooting Bass Harbor Head Light it's best to arrive early to get your spot. When the weather clears up in summer, there are hundreds of people here to watch sunset. Many will be clambering over the rocks you see here, meaning that it's difficult to get a pristine shot.

Through a mistake on my part, I arrived about two hours prior to sunset, but that worked in my favor as I was able to scout around and find a place that I felt worked best for me. It was also the first 70°F day of the year in these parts, so the crowds were minimal. Either way, I highly recommend Acadia NP, and Bass Harbor Head Light.