Gorham Mountain, The Bowl and Champlain Mountain – Thursday – July 25, 2013

Today, we headed to the easternmost side of Acadia NP for a great hike.  Dan, Tricia, Syl, Bill and I were out early (7:30am) and drove the loop road just past Thunder Hole to the parking area for Gorham Mountain Trail.  We were only the second car in the lot so we would beat the crowds:o)) 

Our route today combined several trails for a total of about 7 miles.  We started on the Gorham Mountain Trail and then turn right onto the Cadillac Cliffs Trail which is a short, but interesting trail that will reconnect to the Gorham Mountain Trail higher up the mountain. We continue to the summit of Gorham Mountain and were treated to some amazing views along the way!!

We descended Gorham Mountain in the direction of The Bowl, a beautiful, clear lake that sits at the base of Gorham and Champlain Mountain.  At The Bowl, we picked up the South Ridge Trail to the summit of Champlain Mountain.  This was a wonderful, but tricky hike.  Each time we thought we were about to reach the summit, we were fooled and had yet another steep climb;o)) Just before we reached the summit, we passed the Precipice Trailhead.  Precipice is the most difficult trail in Acadia. It is 1000ft straight up the face of Champlain Mountain...not in our future;o((

At the summit (1085 ft), we descended on the Beachcroft Path.  Without a doubt, this was the steepest and most challenging hike down we have done so far.  Tricia and Bill, were way out of their comfort zones, but hung in there with the rest of us.  I do believe that their fear of heights has been put to the test here in Acadia and they have truly stepped up to the challenge!!

Once we were down the mountain, we had a short hike on the roads to Sieur de Monts where we picked up the park loop bus for a ride back to the car.  The loop bus makes it possible to do hikes without having to return the way you came.  Just make it to the loop road and you can get a ride back to your car!!

After finishing this hike, I know I want to hike Cadillac Mountain again when the weather is as clear and beautiful as we had today.  We know we missed some spectacular views because of the fog on that hike.  However, today's hike was really special because we got spectacular views of so many Acadia Landmarks: The Beehive, The Bowl, Sand Beach, Porcupine Islands, Schoodic Peninsula and more. 

One more GREAT hike with GREAT friends!!!
 
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00 - map Gorham and Champlain - Hike
 

01 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Parking Area01b - Gorham Mtn Hike - rocky start  01c - Gorham Mtn Hike - amazing granite and bronze trail marker

 
 

 
 

01d1 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail sign we took the trail

01d2 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - here we go

01d3 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we went up01d4 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we went down01d5 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we went through01d6 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we went over01d7 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we went under01d8 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we crossed bridges01d9 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - we climb iron rungs01d10 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Cadillac Cliff Trail - final climb back to Gorham Trail

 

 
 
 

01e - Gorham Mtn Hike - Sign

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or

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01f1 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Views as we approach the summit01f2 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Views - Sand Beach and Great Head01f3 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Views - The Bee Hive01f4 - Gorham Mtn Hike - Views - Schoodic Pennisula01f5 - Gorham Mtn Hike - approaching the summit01f6 - Gorham Mtn Hike - the summit

 

01g - Gorham Mtn Hike - heading down
 
 

01g2 - Gorham Mtn Hike - heading towards The Bowl
 

01g3 - Gorham Mtn Hike - approaching The Bowl01g4 - Gorham Mtn Hike - The Bowl01g5 - Gorham Mtn Hike - The Bowl clear water01g6 - Gorham Mtn Hike - The Bowl leach stuck to rock in water

 

 

 
 
 

02 - Champlain Mtn - Beginning South Ridge Trail along The Bowl

02b - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail going UP

02c - Champlain Mtn - Looking back toward The Bowl

02d - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail view of Dorr and Cadillac Mtn      02e - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail is that the summit

02f - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail got some climbing to do      02g - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - time for a rest

02h - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - another amazing view of The Bowl

02i - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - more pink granite to climb02j - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - fabulous lunch spot02k - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - Dan on the edge02l - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - amazing view

02m - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - the summit is just a bit further02n - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - the summit is just up the hill02p - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - Precipice Trail Head, most difficult route in Acadia02q - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - Somebody stole the Summit Sign02r - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - But they couldn't steal the views - Schoodic Pennisula02s - Champlain Mtn - South Ridge Trail - But they couldn't steal the views - Porcupine Islands

 

 
 
 

03 - Beachcroft Trail - A Steep decent down the mountain       03a - Beachcroft Trail - Following their fearless leader  down, down, down

03b - Beachcroft Trail - Gorgeous Views

03c - Beachcroft Trail - getting steeper and steeper       03d - Beachcroft Trail - butt hiking is acceptable

03e - Beachcroft Trail - along the ledge03f - Beachcroft Trail - where we are headed03g - Beachcroft Trail - past the rock slide03j - Beachcroft Trail - Tricia clearing the path03h - Beachcroft Trail - down the rocky switchbacks03i - Beachcroft Trail - hiking above The Tarn
 
 

03k - Beachcroft Trail - Made to the bottom
 
 
 

04 - Park Loop Road - walk to Sieur de Monts to catch bus to car

4 comments:

  1. Note to self: Hiking poles! Great idea! Don't leave home without them :)

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  2. Magnificent scenery!! I had forgotten just how steep that decent was. I hope we can do these hikes again some day. If not, then we do have the great memories!!
    Syl

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  3. That hike was quite an accomplishment, buy oh my -- the views! Bet the bus was a welcome sight. :-)

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  4. Oh my - my tummy was twirling as I was looking at the pictures reminiscing! Yep - another GREAT hike with GREAT friends!

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