“I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.”
-Galileo Galilei
Enjoy sleeping under the stars in a Mountain top yurt with access to 4,000's acres more of walking trails on public land. Views of Branch lake to E and surrounding mountains. Views of Acadia SE and Camden SW from the summit. This is a hike in only mountain top yurt with rugged terrain that ends in awe-inspiring views at the summit.
Park at the base and hike a 1/4 mile up the mountain that contains slopes of nearly 45° on worn moss, roots and rocks. Not a park-groomed trail. A real mountain trail. No rungs. Not for the weak of heart or those expecting a casual stroll in flip flops. You'll hike on roots of spruce and fir that cling to the granite that 100s of mountain pilgrims have climbed before you. The hike up is between 15-30 minutes depending on your level of fitness. Our dogs will guide you to the top where I’ll be waiting to give you the quick tour. Once at the top, you'll be able to walk among wild blueberries, mosses, lichens and huckleberries, spruce, pine, fir in random open areas.
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you arrive to the yurt area, you will be greeted by a wind that welcomes the most tired trekker, including the mountain tops, lakes, tops of trees, valleys, ocean views and may even see hawks and eagles hovering with views that go on for miles. You will see Acadia mountains to the east and Camden Hills to the west.
Airbnb tries to compare other listing to this experience, but there is absolutely no comparison. Yurt, mountaintop, privacy, awe-inspiring views. Sleep with the wind in the mountaintop pines.
Amenities include: Beautiful 20' yurt, wood stove, 3 burner gas cook stove, solar patio lights, solar shower, 100 watt solar array that powers lights, USB ports and small 12v DC appliances. A large stone fire ring, chairs, and total privacy. 5 gallons of water/day is available at water refill station
at the trail head. There are 2 full futons (you bring warm sleeping bag/bedding/NO bedding provided in this space). Bringing your own bedding is not optional, it's a must. The bathroom is a comfortable outhouse with a solar shower in the great outdoors (you bring towel). Bring your sleeping bag, towel, food, knapsack and mind open to inspiration.
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”
-Rachel Carson
Minutes from Acadia, Ellsworth, Bangor, Belfast. For those who desire privacy, beauty and peace. Ideal for writers, painters, hikers, retreaters, honeymooners, photographers, nature lovers, and revelers of summer Maine fun. No check ins after 8:00 July, 7:30 August, 7:00 September, 6:00 pm Oct, as it takes 20-25 minutes/non stop to get to the top and 20 minute orientation. So LB has a hard time descending the mountain in the dark.
The yurt is fully outfitted with a woodstove for heat (including firewood for your splitting enjoyment--lessons provided by request), propane stove for cooking, small kitchen with cookware and kitchen basics, solar lights for overhead lighting, two full size futons, dining table, 3 coolers for cold items, games, small library, and an outhouse complete with solar shower.
The yurt is insulated with reflective insulation on the walls canvas. Bringing a warm sleeping bag will enhance your stay in cool Maine autumn nights or when the clouds roll in. The key to staying warm is closing the windows at sundown, and then feeding the fire in the woodstove. We provide hardwood, you provide the human power to get the wood in the stove.
Blueberry season: mid-July to mid-August
Garden basket season August-October
November is deer hunting season in Maine. Our property and abutting trust are posted, but that doesn’t always stop the person who makes their own rules. Wear hunter orange and put some on your pet. This is the course of action for Mainers who enjoy hiking outside in November. Safety outside will avoid any mishaps. This orange is sold in most stores along the way to the mountain.
Water is the essence of life, and the yurt being on a mountaintop does not afford plumbing, city water, a well, or aqueduct. There is a water station at the base of the mountain with free gallons of water that needs to be human powered up to the top for your enjoyment. Instead of running water, it’s climbing water. It’s part of the experience. Use as little or as much as you like. But, replacing what you find at the top is the rule. If you leave more than you found, you are paying it forward and building good karma. If you take more than you find and don’t replace it, it is $10 a gallon which will be deducted from your deposit.
Your choice.
Your water.
Your life.
We are pet friendly. However, we do not accept all pets. Send a request to bring your friendly, well-trained, well-behaved pet. Please include breed/name/history/good pet report to get approved. We do not discriminate against large dogs. We have large dogs. Your dog will be expected to meet me and my dogs and interact appropriately. If your dog cannot do that, it is not welcome. Do not bother to inquire. We do discriminate against mean, biting, untrained and misbehaving ones.
Also, Maine is very dog friendly. There are few places you can’t take your pet. The yurt is not a good place to leave a pet and go hiking for the day as it heats up and does not maintain a constant temperature. Example, it may be 70 degrees in the morning, but with the sun and closed up yurt can get to well over 100 degrees. Take your pets with you or find a better place to leave pets. Maybe a dog daycare place in Bucksport, Ellsworth or BarHarbor.
Cleaning
You, as the guest, have your part for leaving a space that you have used and enjoyed. If you do it, it is free/NO CHARGE. If you don’t complete the checkout cleaning, you will be charged for us doing it.
The following is the checkout cleaning procedure:
Cleaning sink/pots and pans $10
Quick Sweep the floor and futon covers, $10
Wiping surfaces: counter, table $10
Bring garbage down to garbage can $10
Picking up garbage (inside/outside the yurt) $10
Replace water $10/gallon
Locking yurt and outhouse $10
Throw garbage in dumpster at gate $10
If you think that is not a big requirement and doable, please book. If you think it is beyond what you’re willing to do to use a space, please don’t book.
We really enjoy hosting the adventurous and inspiration-seeking guest. We enjoy meeting you and knowing who is staying in our place. We want you to have the optimum experience. If meeting us and going through a 20-minute orientation to show you how systems work on a mountain is beyond what you can socially/interpersonally do, please seek out other accommodations that are more simple and impersonal. And please sign the yurt journal, we love reliving your experience and remembering you!
