Beach Mountain, Our First Hike – Friday – July 5, 2012

Today, we decided we could not wait any longer to check out some hiking in Acadia.  Since the 4th of July crowd would be here through the weekend, we decided to make our first hike on the “quiet” side of Mt. Desert.  To get to our objective, Beach Mountain, we took Rt 3 to Rt 198 to Rt 102 past Somes Harbor where we made a left onto Beach Hill Rd. The road dead ended at the Beach Mountain Trailhead parking lot:o))

 

 

Since this was our first hike, we wanted to make it as easy as possible.  So to get to Beach Mountain Summit without a really steep climb, we needed to hike .3 miles to the Valley Trail. Then hike .8 miles along a relatively flat trail to the South Ridge Trail.  Following the South Ridge Trail up a less steep incline for .8 miles would get us to the Summit of Beach Mountain.  We all agreed it looked like a doable 2.5 to 3 mile first hike!!

 

 

 

Everybody is ready to get going toward the Valley Trail:o)

 

 

We started hiking just as the early morning sun broke through the trees.

 

The trail started relatively flat,

but you had to watch your step as you encounter rocks, roots and boardwalks. 

 

Remember...  the plan was at .3 miles, we would continue on the Valley Trail.

 

Well, even the best laid plans need to be adjusted when necessary;o))

 

At the trail marker for the Valley Trail there was also a marker for the Canada Cliffs.

 

That sounded interesting and was indicated as only .2 miles.

 

We agreed that if it was too steep, we would just back track and continue on the Valley Trail.

 

Somehow, we got on switch backs that went down and down and down.

Seems a little strange to be headed down to get to the cliffs?!?!

 

 

Finally, we decided we were headed the wrong way.

 

So…. we headed back UP and Up and Up ;o((

So much for gentle inclines on our first hike!!

 

 

When we got back near the Valley Trail,

we saw our mistake and headed along the Canada Cliffs:o)

 

 

It wasn’t far until we reached our first beautiful view!!

 

 

 

As I was coming up the trail,

I looked down and saw this golden mushroom!!!

 

 

As we got up above the tree level,

the trail was marked by cairns, the original trail marking system.

 

 

As we got higher, we could see our ultimate goal…

the fire tower on Beach Mountain!!

It's that little dot in the middle of the picture?!?!?!

 

 

But for now, we continued higher on the Canada Cliffs.

 

At the top, we were rewarded with amazing views!!!

 

 

Echo Lake with Acadia Mountain in the background

 

 

Somes Sound, Southwest Harbor and Greening Island

 

 

As we were heading back to our original trail,

we passed the Beech Cliff marker….

Since it was JUST .4 miles, we just HAD to check it out;o))

 

 

Now, Tricia and Bill are both a little bit afraid of heights.

 

You can see they are clinging to the left hand side of the trail.

 

Yep, their choices….

 

Blueberries on the left                                               Cliffs on the right

 

 

Dan, of course, goes right for the cliffs and the view!!!

 

By now,

we had hiked well over 2 miles

and

we were nowhere close to the South Ridge Trail yet;o((

 

 

So it was time for another NEW plan….

 

return to the parking lot and take the STEEPEST trail up to the Summit;o((

 

Checking our map, it is only .5 miles to the top.

 

However, that means it is much shorter, but much steeper!!!

 

Oh well, off we go……..

 

 

We handled the first section well… just need a little rest…

 

 

Yep, it is getting a little more steep…

 

slowy but surely we make our way up, up, up…

 

 

Once in awhile, we get a peak at the view:o)

 

 

Wow, that was fun… time for another rest!!

 

 

Onward and Upward…

 

 

Our first peek of the Fire Tower:o))

 

 

Just a little bit further….

 

 

 

WOO HOO…. We bagged our first Summit!!!

Spectacular Views from The Summit of Beach Mountain!!!

 

 

We savored our time at the summit and enjoyed our lunch before heading back down.

 

 

We took the slightly longer, but slightly less steep trail down the mountain.

 

 

Almost back to the trailhead at the parking lot.

 

OK, so our 2.5 to 3 mile not so steep hike turned into a 5 mile uphill adventure:o))

 

We were all tired, but the feeling of accomplishment had us sooooo excited!!!

 

I guess this is what they refer to as a “GOOD” tired:o))

 

There is no doubt we will be back out here climbing more mountains…

 

WE’RE  HOOKED!!!