I'm going on a winter hike in Acadia National Park along the Ocean Path.

I will divide this hike into two separate sections......

1.  The first section will be from Sand Beach to the parking lot between Monument Cove and the Otter Cliff Rd.

This section is about 1.1 miles, one way.. If two cars are available, with room for everybody, this can be a one-way hike.  Leave a car at Sand Beach, and start the hike from the parking lot between Monument Cove and the Otter Cliff Rd and walk to Sand Beach.  If two cars can't be used, this hike would be about 2.2 miles round trip.

This section of the Ocean Path runs parallel to the Loop Rd, and is mostly flat and easy.  In some spots, the path is actually a sidewalk, but this will be covered by snow.  This stretch includes Thunder Hole.

2.  The second section starts at the parking lot between Monument Cove and the Otter Cliff Rd.

The goal of this section is hike to Otter Cliff, 0.4 miles from the parking lot.  Here the Ocean Path leaves the side of the Loop Rd and stays close to the shore, and returns to the Loop Rd at Otter Cliff.

After Otter Cliff, there are some options.  If everyone agrees, we can stay on the Ocean Path all the way to Otter Point.  There is a downhill stretch at Otter Cliff to the shore, but I don't recall it being incredibly steep.  After Otter Cliff, the trail stays close to the shore all the way to the Loop Rd at Otter Point, about 0.6 miles.  I don't recall the trail being rough.

At the end of the Ocean Path at Otter Point, there are still options.

1.  Walk the Loop Rd past Otter Cliff back to the parking lot, which is 0.8 miles.

2.  Walk the Loop Rd to the causeway and bridge at Otter Cove, which is 0.9 miles.  Turn around at the bridge, walk the Loop Rd back to Fabbri, and cut over to the Otter Cliff Rd.  Walk the road back to the parking lot, which is 0.7 miles.

So, here are mileage totals for the hikes:

1.  If we have to do section one both ways, that is 2.2 miles.  For section two, going to Otter Cliff and back is 0.8 miles.  Total for this is 3 miles.

2. If we add the Ocean Path to Otter Point, and walk the Loop Rd back past Otter Cliff to the parking lot, the total for all hikes will be 4 miles.

3. And finally, if we add the causeway at Otter Cove to the hike, the total for all hikes will be 4.8 miles.

Elevation gain is very minimal, as the Ocean Path stays along the Loop Rd or the shore.

The Ocean Drive section of the Loop Rd is plowed from the entrance station to the Otter Cliff Rd.  To access the Loop Rd, you take Rt. 3 through Bar Harbor to the Schooner Head Rd, and follow Schooner Head Rd almost to the end to the crossover to the Loop Rd.

To my knowledge there is no fee charged in the winter.

After these hikes, there is also an option to drive to Jordan Pond.  You can only access Jordon Pond from Seal Harbor on the Jordon Pond Rd.  * Note this is not the Stanley Brook Rd entrance, as that is not plowed.  *

As for gear, I doubt microspikes would be needed, but with ever changing weather in Maine, might be a good idea to have some traction control.  Snowshoes are also a must.  I have an extra pair of snowshoes if anyone needs to use them.

Because of unknown conditions, I'd consider this easy to moderate.

If there is a cold wind off the ocean, clothing to block the wind would be wise.

The unplowed sections of the Loop Rd are a snowmobile trail.  The left hand lane of the plowed section is a snowmobile trail.

This is a 4-hour drive for me, so I'll be getting a hotel room in Bar Harbor Friday night.  Once I leave home on Friday, I will not have access to the internet as my phone does not have that capability.

Find your best route to Ellsworth.  From there, follow Rt. 3 east (you are actually going south) to Mt. Desert Island.   After the bridge/causeway to the island, make sure to stay left for Bar Harbor. 

Follow Rt. 3 through Bar Harbor.  Turn right at the stop sign next to the Village Green to stay on Rt. 3.  (Main St) Go 1.1 miles, and turn left onto Schooner Head Rd.  Follow Schooner Head Rd for 2.4 miles, and turn right to cross over to the Loop Rd.  Follow the Loop Rd for 0.5 miles, to the Sand Beach parking lot on the left.

I'll be parked at the Sand Beach parking lot.  Black Nissan Frontier pick-up truck, extended cab.  Plate # 6039 IJ.

Anyone is welcome to join me at anytime during the hike, even if they miss the start time.  If I'm alone, I'll have to walk back to Sand Beach before starting the 2nd part of the hike.  I'm unsure of what I'll be wearing for a jacket, but I'll most likely have an orange hat and/or a red bandana around my head.  If you are driving the Loop Rd, and see me, roll down the window and scream!! LOL

** Update ** 

I called Acadia today.  The guy confirmed that Sand Beach parking lot is plowed.  He could not confirm if the parking lots at Monument Cove are plowed.  He did confirm that the parking lot at Fabbri is plowed.  So, the second part of the hike might have to start at Fabbri.  This will add about 0.4 miles total, but only if we go to Otter Cliff and turn around there.  All other options the mileage will stay the same.