After taking a slow day Tuesday we decided Wednesday would be a hiking day. The last time we did any hiking that involved significant elevation gain and loss was back in SoCal when we hiked to the top of Mt. Rubidoux, otherwise it has been mostly flat walking. The hikes we will pick over the next few weeks prior to the 4th of July will be the farthest away from Southwest Harbor. Why? Well, the traffic will get a lot worse after the 4th so let's do the driving now while it is not congested. We'll save the hikes nearer to our home for later.
Of course, the hike everyone says you must take if you are in Acadia National Park is the one to the top of Cadillac Mountain. This is the highest peak on Mount Desert Island, and I believe the highest peak in Maine at 1,529' above sea level.
There are two trails to the top: North Ridge and South Ridge. The South Ridge Trail is over 6 miles round trip, and the North Ridge trail is about 4.8 miles round trip. We chose the shorter, but steeper trail for our first hike of the summer. We arrived at the trailhead around 11 am and quickly donned our Camelbak hydration packs and Leki hiking poles for the assault on Cadillac Mountain......
.....the first of many stone steps. There is no 'courtship' on this trail.....you just start climbing, and you climb steadily for all 2.4 miles to the top......
Our first view of the islands
90% of the trail is over large rock formations....
....and the trail is not obvious, so they have painted blue stripes periodically to keep you on the trail
More views of the islands
TLE is smiling because we are 1/2 mile from the top
Made it!
.......the hike was listed as 'moderate' in nature, but I would say it is closer to the 'strenuous' category. In many places the gradient exceeds 14% for short distances. It reminded me of the Grandview Trail at the Grand Canyon as far as steepness goes, but certainly not in its difficult, or dangerous aspects. We made it to the top a little before 1 pm, where we found a nice flat rock to sit on while eating a snack and taking in the 360º view.....
The requisite 'usie' to memorialize our accomplishment!
The return hike, of course, was all downhill and we covered the 2.4 mile return trip in 1 hour and 20 minutes. In total we covered 4.8 miles in two hours and 36 minutes of 'moving time', burned 874 caloric units, and gained 1,252' in elevation. It was a great first hike of the season!
We were home by 3 pm taking showers and relaxing for a few hours before heading back to Thurston's Lobster Pound over in the village of Bernard for dinner. I ordered their Lobster BLT, and TLE had their Lobster Stew and Crab Cakes. Everything was delish!
I just love this view of Bass Harbor from the restaurant!
We were back home a little after 7 pm and settling in for the night. We had a great two days off work, but now it is time to get back to work!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Did that hike a few years ago. Great view from the top. My wife met us at the top with the truck so we didn't have to hike down. That was very nice.
ReplyDeleteWere in the area for the month of July last summer.
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