Island Explorer Bus to Acadia Ntl Park

[meadowlander]

On 8/9/2022 at 8:10 PM, bren61 said:

Maybe when you get back you can get back to me & let me know how the IE worked out for you. 

Adventure's tender ticket process was much more organized than in May. There was 1 distribution at 6 pm the night prior to Bar Harbor and another distribution the morning of arrival in Bar Harbor.

 

The 6 pm distribution was at Studio B on deck 3. 4 employees were present to maintain organization. Doors to Studio B opened about 5:45 and those on line, moved inside, maintaining their spot. Note the distribution time conflicts with early seating dinner.

 

Tickets are numbered as opposed to having a set time. I and 1 other specifically asked the time of the 1st tender. An approximate time of 8 to 8:15 am was given. We were told tender ticket #1 did not have to board the first tender, it was good on all later tenders. No one could board a tender prior to the tender number they possessed.

 

Tender 1 boarding process began between 8:35-8:40(20-40 minutes behind the approximate time given). Unlike in May when it took more than 50 minutes from tender number called to setting foot on Bar Harbor, we were in Bar Harbor by 9:10.A left on Main Street led directly to the Village Green. A right on Firefly Lane will take you to the IE boarding area which is opposite the firehouse.

 

2 employees were present at the boarding location along with an electronic board posting upcoming departure times. No one asked to see my NPS pass or anyone else's. Sit on the left side of the bus for a better view.

 

I asked the driver of the 9:30 bus what would be an easy hiking trail for your husband, he said Jordan Pond area or the Carriage Roads within the park. I had planned on starting at Sand Beach and walking to Otter Cliff. Based on the drivers recommendation, I started at Otter Point which is the last stop on bus 3 before returning to the Village Green.

 

The only section of the Ocean Path trail I walked was from Otter Point to Otter Cliff and despite using a cane, it was challenging at a few points. When I eventually found the trail at Otter Cliff to Sand Beach, I found the walk down to the trail too daunting. It had rained earlier that morning impacting footing. If it had not rained, I would have made the same decision.

 

What I discovered was alongside the two lanes for vehicles was a solid firmly packed walkway akin to a sidewalk. At some points I did have to walk in the road but the walkway existed for the nearly total majority of the walk back to Sand Beach. It took me over 2 hours.

 

The drivers recommendation to start at Otter Point benefited in that when the 30 seat IE bus arrived at Sand Beach and despite no one getting off at Sand Beach, there were many seats available. Two stops post Sand Beach, 29 of the 30 seats were taken. No one attempted to board at any later stops.

 

What I noticed the two times I was at the Sand Beach stop is that bus 4 had arrived prior to bus 3 and was waiting for bus 3 should any passengers want to transfer from bus 3 to bus 4. This has to be intentional. There are rest room facilities at Sand Beach.

 

You may decide to take bus 3 from VG to Sand Beach and then choose between transferring to bus 4 to go to Jordan Pond, should be a seamless transfer. Or you could walk Ocean Path at Sand Beach, return to the bus stop and wait for the next bus 4 to arrive to access Jordan Pond.

 

While I was walking that walkway, alongside the 2 lane road, I noticed a very easy section which allowed for good views. It is a 5-10 minute walk at most from the start point to the next parking lot or side road that you could flag bus 3 to stop. Do check with the driver that he will stop at both locations.

 

You would exit bus 3 (do not know if bus 4 travels that same road) at Gorham Mountain Trailhead. Cross the two lanes and go right on the walkway. Google maps shows the next parking lot, though I do not know the name. This is where you would reboard bus 3. A very easy short walk with nice panoramic views.

 

Check with the driver that he will stop at both points as they are not listed as stops but it appears safe to do so, as their web site states. The only other consideration is would there be seats available at the point you get back on bus 3. Due to the rain on Labor Day the park was not as crowded as expected. On your port day, if it is crowded, it may impact deciding to stop at Gorham Mountain Trailhead, check with the driver.

 

You could take bus 6 from VG to Jordan Pond then bus 4 to Sand Beach to explore or transfer to bus 3 but bus 6 has a limited schedule making bus 3 & 4 the better option.

Edited September 10, 2022 by meadowlander

[bren61]

5 hours ago, meadowlander said:

Adventure's tender ticket process was much more organized than in May. There was 1 distribution at 6 pm the night prior to Bar Harbor and another distribution the morning of arrival in Bar Harbor.

 

The 6 pm distribution was at Studio B on deck 3. 4 employees were present to maintain organization. Doors to Studio B opened about 5:45 and those on line, moved inside, maintaining their spot. Note the distribution time conflicts with early seating dinner.

 

Tickets are numbered as opposed to having a set time. I and 1 other specifically asked the time of the 1st tender. An approximate time of 8 to 8:15 am was given. We were told tender ticket #1 did not have to board the first tender, it was good on all later tenders. No one could board a tender prior to the tender number they possessed.

 

Tender 1 boarding process began between 8:35-8:40(20-40 minutes behind the approximate time given). Unlike in May when it took more than 50 minutes from tender number called to setting foot on Bar Harbor, we were in Bar Harbor by 9:10.A left on Main Street led directly to the Village Green. A right on Firefly Lane will take you to the IE boarding area which is opposite the firehouse.

 

2 employees were present at the boarding location along with an electronic board posting upcoming departure times. No one asked to see my NPS pass or anyone else's. Sit on the left side of the bus for a better view.

 

I asked the driver of the 9:30 bus what would be an easy hiking trail for your husband, he said Jordan Pond area or the Carriage Roads within the park. I had planned on starting at Sand Beach and walking to Otter Cliff. Based on the drivers recommendation, I started at Otter Point which is the last stop on bus 3 before returning to the Village Green.

 

The only section of the Ocean Path trail I walked was from Otter Point to Otter Cliff and despite using a cane, it was challenging at a few points. When I eventually found the trail at Otter Cliff to Sand Beach, I found the walk down to the trail too daunting. It had rained earlier that morning impacting footing. If it had not rained, I would have made the same decision.

 

What I discovered was alongside the two lanes for vehicles was a solid firmly packed walkway akin to a sidewalk. At some points I did have to walk in the road but the walkway existed for the nearly total majority of the walk back to Sand Beach. It took me over 2 hours.

 

The drivers recommendation to start at Otter Point benefited in that when the 30 seat IE bus arrived at Sand Beach and despite no one getting off at Sand Beach, there were many seats available. Two stops post Sand Beach, 29 of the 30 seats were taken. No one attempted to board at any later stops.

 

What I noticed the two times I was at the Sand Beach stop is that bus 4 had arrived prior to bus 3 and was waiting for bus 3 should any passengers want to transfer from bus 3 to bus 4. This has to be intentional. There are rest room facilities at Sand Beach.

 

You may decide to take bus 3 from VG to Sand Beach and then choose between transferring to bus 4 to go to Jordan Pond, should be a seamless transfer. Or you could walk Ocean Path at Sand Beach, return to the bus stop and wait for the next bus 4 to arrive to access Jordan Pond.

 

While I was walking that walkway, alongside the 2 lane road, I noticed a very easy section which allowed for good views. It is a 5-10 minute walk at most from the start point to the next parking lot or side road that you could flag bus 3 to stop. Do check with the driver that he will stop at both locations.

 

You would exit bus 3 (do not know if bus 4 travels that same road) at Gorham Mountain Trailhead. Cross the two lanes and go right on the walkway. Google maps shows the next parking lot, though I do not know the name. This is where you would reboard bus 3. A very easy short walk with nice panoramic views.

 

Check with the driver that he will stop at both points as they are not listed as stops but it appears safe to do so, as their web site states. The only other consideration is would there be seats available at the point you get back on bus 3. Due to the rain on Labor Day the park was not as crowded as expected. On your port day, if it is crowded, it may impact deciding to stop at Gorham Mountain Trailhead, check with the driver.

 

You could take bus 6 from VG to Jordan Pond then bus 4 to Sand Beach to explore or transfer to bus 3 but bus 6 has a limited schedule making bus 3 & 4 the better option.

So is Otter Cliffs before or after Sand Beach? Are you able to tell me what order I need to do our stops at? Bus 3 from Village Green to Otter Cliffs, Otter Point, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole (not sure what order I need to do them in), then Bus 4 to Jordon Pond, Bubble Pond, then (Visitor Center if we have time). From VC I think we have to take Bus #1 back to VG. How long do you think this will take us if we don't do the 2 hour hike that you took?

[meadowlander]

15 hours ago, bren61 said:

So is Otter Cliffs before or after Sand Beach? Are you able to tell me what order I need to do our stops at? Bus 3 from Village Green to Otter Cliffs, Otter Point, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole (not sure what order I need to do them in), then Bus 4 to Jordon Pond, Bubble Pond, then (Visitor Center if we have time). From VC I think we have to take Bus #1 back to VG. How long do you think this will take us if we don't do the 2 hour hike that you took?

Bus 3 stops first at North Ridge (this is a transfer stop for bus 4), then Sand Beach (last transfer point to bus 4). Thunder Hole is next followed by 1 or 2 other unnamed stops then Otter Cliff. Otter Point is the last stop for bus 3 after which it returns to the Village Green.

 

If you depart from Sand Beach on bus 3 you must first return to VG to access Jordan Pond. Your choices are based on the time of day. You could take bus 6 from VG to Jordan Pond. You could take bus 3 from VG to North Ridge or Sand Beach to transfer to bus 4 to get to Jordan Pond.

 

If you visit Jordan Pond last you could take bus 6 back to VG. You could take bus 4 to North RIdge or Sand Beach, transfer to bus 3 to return to VG. You could take bus 4 or bus 5 to the Visitor Center, transfer to bus 1 or bus 9 back to VG.

 

You will have to look at the schedule online and develop a plan that works best for you depending on how much time you spend at each stop and the time of day.

 

You stated you will use IE from stop to stop rather than walking. If you make the 9:30 bus as I did from VG you will be at Sand Beach at 9:55. If you explore Sand Beach, the next bus 3 is 30 minutes later. If you go to Thunder Hole from Sand Beach (only via bus 3) you again have 30 minutes to explore until the next bus.

 

Thunder Hole was a stop for Oli's Trolley and the Royal excursion bus. It was the most crowded spot along bus 3's route. It is another descent down but with railings to grab. The 'stairway' was on large boulders. There were a couple of view platforms close to the road as well. I saw a sign for a shop at Thunder Hole, there was a building in the parking area which had to be the shop.

 

The earliest you could leave Thunder Hole  would be 10:58. I am guessing Otter Cliff was about a 10 minute drive. If you exit at Otter Cliff, you have 30 minutes until the next bus. Stopping at Otter Point (about 11:40) means the next bus 3 back to VG would be close to 1 pm due to lunch break.

 

You will have to decide which bus option gets you to Jordan Pond  from VG the earliest. It appears 2:30 is the earliest you can get to Jordan Pond. 

 

4:15 is back on board ship time. Visiting all the places you listed is stressful and unejoyable at a minimum and most likely impossible. You know your husbands limitations and the time needed. You have to decide which stops matter most to you.

 

If you exit bus 3 in the morning at North Ridge or Sand Beach you can transfer to bus 4 to visit Jordan Pond first. Then use bus 4 back to Sand Beach to view what you want and use bus 3 back to VG. Once you leave Sand Beach on bus 3 be it in the morning or afternoon, you will return to the VG with no opportunity to transfer to any other bus.

 

 

[GTJ]

20 hours ago, bren61 said:

So is Otter Cliffs before or after Sand Beach? Are you able to tell me what order I need to do our stops at?

You may want to look at the maps portion of the National Park Service website devoted to Acadia National Park. Along the one-way loop road, the order of the sites, and the bus routes serving each, is: Village Green (1,3), Sand Beach (3,4), Thunder Hole (3,4), Otter Cliff (4), Otter Point (4), Jordan Pond (4,5), Bubble Pond (4,5), Visitor Center (1,4,5), Village Green (1,3).

[bren61]

6 hours ago, meadowlander said:

 

If you exit bus 3 in the morning at North Ridge or Sand Beach you can transfer to bus 4 to visit Jordan Pond first. Then use bus 4 back to Sand Beach to view what you want and use bus 3 back to VG. Once you leave Sand Beach on bus 3 be it in the morning or afternoon, you will return to the VG with no opportunity to transfer to any other bus.

 

 

This sounds like it might work for us.

[GTJ]

The problem with the quoted plan is that route 4 does not travel directly from Jordan Pond to Sand Beach. The buses on route 4 travel the loop road in a one-way circle, where Jordan Pond is already past Sand Beach. So to go backwards from Jordan Pond to Sand Beach you have to go all the way around the loop. Staying on the same bus, it will take more than one hour to travel from Jordan Pond to Sand Beach. (You could reduce the travel time to 45 minutes by traveling on either a route 4 or route 5 bus from Jordan Pond towards the Visitor Center, alighting at North Ridge (Paradise Hill Road), crossing to the other side of the street, and then travel on a route 4 bus coming from the Visitor Center headed towards Sand Beach.)

 

While the quoted plan is possible, it is not very efficient, and you will spend much time on buses and retracing steps, because of the one-way roadway system. If possible, it is best to order your anticipated stops in the same order as the one-way loop road.