Catching a glimpse of sparkling ocean water, tall pine trees, fascinating rock formations, and lush greenery all in one glimpse seems impossible, but it's very possible here. Hikers on their way to Bald Peak from Parkman Mountain. For an average pace, this hike takes 1-2 hours. 326.54 m Down, 1.4 mi It is not recommended for pets, since there is one iron rung and many steep sections. Acadia National Park. (Note: There may be no water at all during summer drought). The sign at the top of Bald Peak points the way. To find the trailhead for the Grandgent Trail, when reading the summit sign on Parkman Mountain, look over your right shoulder and you will see a cairn and two mountainsthats where you are heading. Park rangers and members of Mount Desert Island Search and Rescue (MDISAR) recovered the remains, which were transported to the Maine Office of the Chief . Info: Bangor Daily News; AMCs Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park, This short walk leads to Dorr Point, a rocky stretch of coast with outstanding views. Felt like we were in a fairy land! Beware of loose rock and uneven footing. 2/5/2016. Its also one of the least heavily trafficked routes to the top of this popular peak. This year I'm climbing the 26 mountains of Mt. Theres a trail before the bridge that takes you down to Maple Spring Trail, which goes under the bridge and follows the stream. Otter Point/Ocean Path This easy walk is great for kids to explore the coastline, so leave about two to three hours of time for a hike. Image Specs: Canon 5D Mark II with Canon 24-105mm f/4.0 L Series at 35mm, 1/6 second, f/16, ISO 200. All Rights Reserved. Prouts Neck Cliff Walk, with Ferry and Scarborough Beaches, Scarborough; If you match your speed with your ability you shouldnt have a problem. Fun but four legged friends would have some difficulty. Acadia National Park | PARKMAN MOUNTAIN TO GILMORE PEAK HIKE Participants will hike up to the summit of either Penobscot Mountain or Sargent Mountain. Absolutely Gorgeous. Acadia National Park - Bald Peak and Parkman Mountain Add a Photo A steep and rocky hike to the top of two barren granite peaks, affording great views. The toughest part is the middle third, which has an average grade of 32%. Parkman Mountain via Hadlock Falls - Hiking Project Just wish we had a day where there was no cloud coverage so we could have seen the views. Its intimidating. Very cool summit, very windy and foggy, but that made for a pretty wicked experience. Bar Harbor, ME 04609-0177
Look for wild blueberries in late July/early August. Shipping Address
The Bald Peak Trail becomes more rugged as it follows a stream and begins to ascend Bald Peak. Bar Harbor ME 04609-0177
Check trail elevation profile before hiking. An uphill slog is unavoidable from there, whether you retrace your route, continue on a long ride around Parkman Mountain, or head south to loop back along Eagle Lake's west shore (that one's not an option this summer, on account of construction). Six Summits: 443 Reviews, Map - Maine | AllTrails Unauthorized public or commercial use of any of the images or text on this website without explicit permission is strictly forbidden. Acadia Carriage Trails, Biking - AllTrips - Acadia National Park The hike crosses carriage roads before summiting for ocean views of the Somes Sound and Northeast Harbor. Return to the Middle Peaks. Reduce the chance of picking up ticks by staying in the center of the trail, and not stepping on soils and away from brush. The views from the top are well worth it. The Parkman Mountain Trail is another scenic stretch of trail that navigates several interesting granite shelves. Acadia National Park. You'll pass intersections for Parkman Mountain Trail and Bald Peak Trail and then take the Hadlock Brook Trail. See the Gilmore Peak to Sargent Mountain Hike web page for details on this segment of the Six Mountain Summit Hike. Terrain on the upper section of the Grandgent Trail. Acadia National Park | BALD PEAK TO PARKMAN MOUNTAIN HIKE The Beehive Loop begins on the Bowl Trail across the park loop road from Sand Beach. The trail is a nice wooded hike that brings hikers up to the peak of Parkman Mountain that has great views of the park. The last peak on the list takes a bit more effort to get to. Its a quick hike to Bald Peak where more fabulous views await. Just keep in mind that even these trails may become busy and some of them have small parking lots. Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account. Surface. From the top of Bald Peak you can see the next destination, Parkman Mountain, for it is just .3 mile away, and the difference in summit elevations is only 30 feet (the mountains themselves are roughly 950 feet tall). Follow the Bowl trail 0.2 miles up a creek bed to the trail interesection with the Beehive trail. 215.31 m Down, 5.2 mi Hikers will cross Bald Peak, Parkman Mountain, Gilmore Peak, Sargent Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, and Cedar Swamp Mountain along the route. Steep and rocky terrain on the descent from the Bald Peak summit. The trail head is located on Route 3 with parking on the opposite side of the road. By comparison, the hike up the south end of Parkman Mountain from Bald Peak averaged just 13%. Info: Joes Guide to Acadia; AMCs Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park. The Parkman Mountain Trail is rated as moderate difficulty. The Saddle Mountain area offers free dispersed camping on BLM land in the beautiful Sonoran Desert just south of I-10, 50 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. Start at the Acadia Mountain trailhead located along Rte. This hike is 2.7 miles roundtrip. 4.7 (3) Areas. The trail follows steam up a trail that goes up to Bald Peak through a forest. Parkman Parking Lot or Norumbega "Goat Trail" Parking Lot along Route 3, 3-5 hours for loop hike to all three peaks, 3.8 miles for loop hike to all three peaks. The difference, aside from ice and snow, is that the 60% grade of the South Col to Everest summit hike covers 3,100 vertical feet and lasts for a mile, whereas a 60% grade at Acadia may last a few hundred feet. The good thing about the hike is that the valley between them is 850 feet in elevation (versus 300 feet at the parking lot), so you only have to hike down a hundred feet before hiking back up a hundred feet. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is per person. The trail starts out beneath a thick canopy of forest and leads past the remains of Dorrs cottage to Dorr Point. 1,043' Down The length of this hike is flexible, so you arent locked into one route if the weather or your own condition changes. Both peaks were about equal in my mind in terms of scenery and were especially beautiful in October when the blueberry bushes turn bright red. 200.12 m Up The trail crosses the carriage road three times before ending at the junction where the hike started. There are two trailheads to find, and you can park at whichever one you want depending on the length you want to walk. 19.31 m Down. (From Bar Harbor, follow ME Route 233 to reach ME Route 198.) Bring a map, water, snacks, compass, and extra layers for unpredictable changes in weather. The trail head is located on Route 3 with parking on the opposite side of the road. The summit of Mansell Mountain is forested so if youre in it for the view this is your reward. The sign at the top of Bald Peak points the way. Jesup Path is a moderately trafficked path that is located near Bar Harbor, right by the Nature Center. Parkman Mountain Trail connects to Hadlock Brook Trail, Hadlock Loop, Upper Mountain Trail, Bald Peak Trail, Parkman Mountain Connector, and Giant Slide Trail. From a peak baggers delight to a secluded cobblestone beach, these trails are worth hiking any time of the year. Terrain: Forested path, steep granite and challenging rocky footing throughout with one iron rung. The level reprieve of the valley doesnt last long, and you will soon be hiking to the top of Gilmore Peak. Just about a quarter mile away is Bald Peak. Bald Peak Trail will take you back to the Hadlock Brook trail head on Route 3. The Jesup Path is an easy trail that follows a gravel path up to the Nature Center. Great views. Take Cold Brook Trail 0.4 miles east back to Long Pond. Sargent Mountain: 284 Reviews, Map - Maine | AllTrails FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Head out on this 2.4-mile loop trail near Mount Desert, Maine. Length. 7.8 km Did not complete the whole loop but this is a great hike, with some nontechnical scramble/climbing (If that makes sense). End of my map leads to Parkman Trail parking lot where public transport stops. There are plenty of knockout views to be found on Acadias quieter trails, including this one of Somes Sound from Valley Peak. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. In about 0.2 miles the junction for the Bald Peak Trail is on the left. Valley Trail passes through a gorgeous stretch of secluded forest to one of the best views on the parks west side. We took our time and stopped to take pictures of the leaves changing. Pemetic East Cliff Trail. You Need To Hike Cadillac Mountain Now - The Fat Girl Hiking From Parkman Mt. You are standing at the very top in the very middle, the summit of the ball so to speak. Rock collectors, aka rockhounds, will also appreciate the emerald green quartz gemstones that can be found scattered throughout. dashicons-youtube The Grandgent Trail does not run towards the tip of the football along a gradual slope, but down the side of the ball, which is quite steep. Take St. Sauveur Mountain Trail up the mountain and enjoy one of the smoothest ascents in the park. Continue on Grandgent Trail for 0.7 mile to Sargent Mountain, passing Maple Spring Trail. One of my favorite hikes in Acadia, so much fun. Check out these other hikes in or near Acadia National Park: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hadlock Falls viewed from under waterfall bridge, Hadlock Falls viewed from the carriage road bridge, Maple Spring Trail underneath Hemlock Bridge, Intersection of Giant Slide Trail and Grandgent Trail, Gilmore Peak and Sargent Mountain from Parkman Mountain, Vew from Bald Peak of Hadlock Pond near the trail head and the ocean in the distance, Hadlock Falls, Parkman Mountain & Bald Peak in Acadia Natnl Park, I love these kinds of videos. As others pointed out, it was more fun going counterclockwise with less descending from steep cliffs. Jesup Path. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. Home Blog Maine Life Downeast & Acadia Hadlock Falls, Parkman Mountain & Bald Peak in Acadia Natnl Park. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is per person. The grade given for an entire trail is an average, so mountainous trails may have sections with extremely steep grades as well as level areas. Check Current Conditions for emergency alerts and closure updates. Pass the Parkman Mountain parking lot (on the left) and park at the next unmarked, pullout parking area on the right at the base of the hill. Once youve turned onto Cooksey Road the trailhead is 0.2 miles away on the left. Keep in mind that this is the average and that some segments reach grades of 70%, and 30+% grades are common (t. he steepest section is towards the bottom). Time: 45 minutes After scrambling up the Grandgent Trail, enjoy the wide open view at the top of Parkman Mountain. The hike to the top is identical to the descentsteep cliffs and granite slabs. Parkman Mountain Trail In this April 10, 2016, file photo, Aislinn Sarnacki and her dog hike along a particularly rocky and scenic section of the Parkman Mountain Trail in Acadia National Park on . There is a crosswalk at the top of the entrance to Sand Beach, the Bowl trailhead is located next to it. I also wanted to see Hadlock Falls on my hike so I did a longer loop by staying on Hadlock Brook Trail instead of turning left on either Parkman Mountain Trail or Bald Peak Trail. I hiked to the top of Gilmore Peak as part of my hike to the summit of six mountains just west of Acadia National Parks Jordan Pond on Mount Desert Island. 19.36 m Up Choosing a less crowded hike means youll share the path with fewer hikers and take some pressure off busy trails which can be damaged by overuse. Save Our Summits route map (courtesy NPS). Youll also be able to see the other peaks on this traverse, and Penobscot and Cedar Swamp Mountains to the east. Overcast so not much of a view. (A map is quite useful to help navigate the maze of carriage road and trail intersections in the area.). Great, clean trails, outstanding views!! These directions are from the Parkman Mt. During these conditions definetly on the hard side of moderate, especially with dogs (ours are medium sized) because we had to lift them up multiple times. We did this route clockwise up Parkman and down Bald. Look for the sign Day Mountain Summit and follow the road in that direction for about 100 feet until the trail (marked with a cairn) restarts to the left. Head back the way you came or take the western loop of Valley Peak Trail back to St. Sauveur Mountain. Most people call it the Enchanted Forest, she says, because its like youre experiencing Middle Earth and youre waiting for the hobbits to show up. This is one of her favorite hikes and her favorite route to the top of Beech Mountain. All visitors age 16 and above are required to have a Park Entrance Pass year-round. Lets hope that our country continues to support National Parks for all of us to enjoy. Fees are per vehicle or per motorcycle. On a clear day you might even be able to see Blue Hill and Camden Hill far to the west. I so appreciate the popular places because theres a reason why theyre popular, says Sue Alperin, who leads trips for AMC. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 657' Up Parking was easy and the trail was clearly marked. Halfway up, the trail enters a more densely forested area and the rate of ascent eases. 2001, 2022 Greg A. Hartford, AcadiaMagic.com In front of you is Somes Sound and in the distance you can see Blue Hill Mountain and other distant mountains on the mainland. You typically can see from one blaze or cairn to the next, and if not, you should see one within a few minutes of hiking if you are going in the right direction. What a great opportunity it is for visitors to be able to do this on such a beautiful morning. This lightly trafficked trail is a picturesque descent. Please try again. 7. The trail often becomes indistinguishable from the rest of the forest, so it is important to understand how the route is marked. Meet at the Parkman Mountain Carriage Road Trailhead off Route 3 in Acadia National Park. The trailhead is at the parking area at the end of Beech Hill Road off Route 102/Pretty Marsh Road. For a longer hike, you can combine these peaks with Gilmore Peak like I mentioned, but you could also add-on Sargent Mountain, or even add-on Penobscot Mountain and Cedar Swamp Mountain for an epic 6 peak loop hike as shown below! Start with Bald Peak Trail, as it offers steeper terrain than its western Parkman Mountain Trail counterpart. The 4-mile Hadlock Loop and the 5-mile Amphitheater Loop are accessed from Route 3/198 at either Parkman Mountain trailhead or Brown Mountain Gatehouse. First to Review. 64' Up Info: AMCs Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park. . The taller, tree-covered mountain is Sargent Mountain, the fourth stop on the hike. Bald Peak - Acadia Trails . Parkman Mountain to Gilmore Peak trail map (click to enlarge) I hiked to the top of Gilmore Peak as part of my hike to the summit of six mountains just west of Acadia National Park's Jordan Pond on Mount Desert Island. Keystone RV Company is the #1 manufacturer of fifth wheel RVs in North America. 1-minute hike: Parkman Mountain-Bald Peak, Acadia National Park Town. To finish the hike, return to Parkman Mountain and then descend the Parkman Mountain Trail to complete the loop. Save Our Summits Registration - Friends of Acadia Contact: John Kelly, 207-288-8703. After about 0.6 miles, Beech Mountain South Ridge Trail branches off on the right, climbing up steep, rocky terrain to the summit. Mount Desert. VisitAcadia National Parkonline for more information or contact: After reaching Mount Desert Island on ME Route 3, stay to the right to follow ME Route 102. Parkman Mountain Trail is a moderately trafficked trail that is located near Northwest Harbor. The Bald Peak connects to Parkman Mountain Trail, Hadlock Loop, and Hadlock Brook Trail. ". 317.8 m Up I would classify this trail as moderate for an experienced hiker, however there were some scrambling sections that surprised me and made me feel guilty bringing less experienced people along. The hike crosses carriage roads before summiting for ocean views of the Somes Sound and Northeast Harbor. 404.49 m Down, 2.3 mi A right turn leads back the ME Route 198 and the parking lot. Because both mountains have such a true peak, you truly feel the elevation and like you climbed a mountain! The summit of Sargent Mountain rewards hikers with amazing views of Acadia. Hike Beehive Loop - U.S. National Park Service Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. *Maple Spring Trail is closed indefinitely due to severe storm damage. View of Parkman Mountain from Bald Peak 8.3 km Average grades of many trails in Acadia exceed Everests 17%, and short stretches go way beyond 60%. Highly recommend. The views are explosive once you clear tree line with Norumbega Mountain, Upper Hadlock Pond, and the islands at the mouth of Somes Sound fanning out below. 102 east across from Echo Lake. I think my thighs wouldve been burning if I was going up this trail, so I suggest using it for your descent instead of your ascent, unless you hate steep descents. A lot of rock and a lot of roots. Its beautiful at the top. Its always good to have a back up plan in case you arrive and find that the parking lot for the trailhead is full. These are distinct piles of rocks placed on barren surfaces. There are two carriage road crossings. Please note: This web site and all images on this site are the property of Joe Braun Photography 2023. Either way there are rock scrambles. A wheelchair accessible trail has a grade of no more than +/-5%, Most recreational trails are designed to be no more than +/-10%, with a steeper segment every now and then, Most people agree that a +/-15% grade is where things begin to get really steep, Stairs in a typical house and the steepest ski slopes have a grade of 60%, A wall perpendicular to the ground (straight up) has a grade of infinity. Download a PDF of the route. First, there was fog, so on the whole trail it was misty and wet and we knew that we weren't going to see a view anyway. Pemetic North Ridge Trail. 8 Best Day Hikes in Acadia National Park - Tripping.com The Bald Peak Trail becomes more rugged as it follows a stream and begins to ascend Bald Peak. This is the second leg of the journey, and it starts at the top of Bald Peak. From the Parkman summit, take the Grandgent Trail east to descend into a larger forested valley; take care in this section as the route is steep and clumsy. Might be worth bringing a hiking stick. This is not the angle of the slope, but the calculation of rise (climb in elevation) divided by run (length of horizontal progress) expressed as a percentage ((rise/run) x 100). Cadillac South Ridge Trail. At the bottom is the intersection with the Giant Slide Trail. Info: Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park, Joes Guide to Acadia. There are two steep ledges and one iron rung. This relatively short but tough loop traverses four peaks including Sargent Mountain (1,373 ft.), the second highest point in Acadia. Blue blaze marks the route of the Grandgent Trail. 403.62 m Up Bald Peak is a moderately trafficked out and back trail that is located near Northwest Harbor. Probably slick when wet. 2014-2023 Copyright Steven L. Markos. The trail does feature one iron rung section to assist with scaling the steep slope. Follow Hadlock Pond Carriage Road to intersection with Bald Peak Trail. Parkman Mountain Trail Hiking Trail, Tremont, Maine - Hiking Project This is such a surreal hike. Time: 20 minutes This section is not recommended in wet weather. Parkman Mountain Trail. See the Parkman Mountain to Gilmore Peak Hike web page for details on this segment of the Six Mountain Summit Hike. Parkman Mountain and Bald Peak are two smaller mountains in Acadia National Park that offer terrific views from their bald summits. Your log in attempt was not successful. Phone: 207-288-3338
Pass the Parkman Mountain Trail junction. A new password has been emailed to you. Info: Bangor Daily News; AMC's Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park 4. Intermediate. There are two carriage road crossings. Duration, or how long a hike takes, depends on your pace, how frequently you stop, and the terrain. Its a gorgeous, isolated cobblestone beach in a small cove that feels a world away from the rest of the park. This is a section of the Carriage Road that is a short distance east of the Parkman Mountain Parking Area on the north side of Upper Hadlock Pond in Northeast Harbor, Maine. All Rights Are Retained by the Copyright and Trademark Owner. You can see the summit from here, as it is just another tenth of a mile ahead. Description. The summit of Gilmore Peak is marked with a sign that states the mountains elevation, 1,036 feet. An eastern spur takes you out along the cliffs edge for an all-encompassing view of Somes Sound. A steep and rocky hike to the top of two barren granite peaks, affording great views. At the junction for Parkman Mountain, we headed up the relatively benign trail up to the summit. There are two steep ledges to negotiate. Parkman Mountain Trail is a moderately trafficked trail that is located near Northwest Harbor. 1-minute hike: Parkman Mountain-Bald Peak, Acadia National Park by Aislinn Sarnacki April 12, 2016 Updated November 9, 2020 Difficulty: Moderate-strenuous. which is quite steep. For a superb challenge, try the 17-mile Around-the-Mountain Loop, which circumnavigates Sargent Mountain and a jumble of five other peaks.