Yes, there are insane hikes at Acadia National Park (ANP) for those over 60 and, let me say, for those well under 60. The Precipice and Beehive trails have iron rungs to grip as you grasp your way up the mountain. I’ve only seen pictures of these quote trails, (http://www.acadiamagic.com/precipice-trail.htm) since my acrophobia has made it clear that it wants no part of them. And if the height isn’t enough, the relentlessly rocky terrain beats hikers into submission. That’s rock climbing to me, not hiking. I’m glad I got that off my chest.
Taking to the Park Loop Road towards the Atlantic Ocean, Hannah and I find ample parking in lots or along side the road to Sand Beach. A short walk on the Ocean Trail (http://www.acadiamagic.com/ocean_path.html) and we descend to Sand Beach, popular and busy, but not so much so that it’s overwhelming, even on this beautiful Saturday in early September. On the trail just above Sand Beach, we meet a couple from Quebec. After a few minutes, the elderly husband of the two blurts out, “Your wife is beautiful.” All I can say is you are so right!. Got to love those Canadians. The terrain is easy on the feet as we hike through coastal forests. Even though there are water views on three sides, 90% of the people stay on Sand Beach.
As experienced vacationers of the hiking sort, we debate the Eternal Morning Dilemma. Does one get up early to beat the crowds to hike or do we ride our bikes through Bar Harbor just after dawn, breakfast with coffee and home-made Hannah banana muffins while writing post cards and reading the New Yorkers that have gone unread? Clearly from the personalizing of the second half of that question it is obvious we choose the later for we love our morning rituals, whether at home or on the road.
As we meet a couple from Michigan, they ask us about lobstering (Being from Maine, I dazzle them with my baseless air of authority when it comes to seafood.), we razz them about their football team and are reminded of the importance of thanking people for small kindnesses (e.g., letting us proceed first when we meet on the trail). There’s often a humanity on the trail that we don’t see on the highways and roads.
Walking down the Park Loop Road we enter the Gorham Mountain Trailhead (http://www.acadiamagic.com/gorham-mountain.html) for the one-mile trek to the aforementioned Mount G and then another mile on to the Bowl, a pond tucked into the mountains. On this hour hike, we use the rubber stoppers on our trekking sticks, as much of the trail is over rock, not insanely steep rock, but rock nonetheless. The water in the Bowl pond is refreshing as we dangle our debooted feet in the water with frogs and turtles. Many hikers are here, some swimming and all knowing how unbelievably lucky they are to be here on a sunny Saturday in September. The trail to and from the Bowl is well marked with blue blazes and cairns. Feeling adventurous we travel home by way of the Cadillac Cliffs. Don’t make that mistake if you hike this trail. It is a rock strewn, mostly precipitously steep climb along the cliffside with absolutely no views of the ocean. But there is no doubt that the rating of the Mount Gorham to the Bowl hike is excellent.
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