Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park Offers Connection for Classmates

A weekend trip to Acadia National Park gave a group of students (mostly seniors) a chance to step away from the busy pace of the end of the year on campus and take in an essential Maine experience. Director of Experiential Learning Chris Hayward leads the trip annually, along with other epic adventures, such as whitewater rafting and a trip to Katahdin. This year, the group hiked Sargent Mountain from Jordan Pond, taking in views of the Bubbles along the way. They explored Sand Beach and walked the Bar Harbor Sand Bar at low tide. Being located in the mountains, it’s easy to forget that some of Maine’s most iconic landscapes are just a day trip away.

 

 

 

 

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The most spectacular moment of the trip was a sunrise on the summit of Cadillac Mountain, a bucket-list experience for visitors from around the world, and it didn’t disappoint.

Getting the opportunity to go to Acadia was so special. It’s a busy time during my senior year, and it allowed me to just be in the moment. - Jax Allen, Gould Class of 2026

“Getting the opportunity to go to Acadia was so special,” said Jax Allen ’26, a senior just days away from Commencement. “It’s a busy time during my senior year, and it allowed me to just be in the moment. It was an awesome way to disconnect from school life, connect with my classmates, and reconnect with myself.”