Hiking Mount Agamenticus, York, Maine

Trail Description: The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region is located in Southern Maine. The Mount Agamenticus Loop is a popular trail that provides 360 degree views at the summit of the surrounding mountains in the distance.

Trail Info:

Where: York, ME Distance: 1.8m (1 hour) Difficulty: Easy toModerate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Valley

How to get there:

Typing the location “Mount Agamenticus Trailhead” into Google Maps will take you to the parking lot. You can’t miss it. There is a lot of parking. It’s $2/hr to park and there is a barcode to scan for the app to use to pay. It was easy peasy in my opinion. And, worth the money based on how well they keep up with everything.

Coordinates: 43.21720438450835, -70.69198787482621

Link to google maps location here.

Hiking Tips

• I suggest caution if it rained days prior. The trails in the forest are mostly roots and rock. Dry it’s no biggie but wet I don’t think it would be as enjoyable.

• Download a copy of the trail map here.

• There are multiple trail options. This guide is for the loop via Blueberry Bluff, Witch Hazel, and Ring Trail. The Big A trail has separate parking and is a 1 mile loop that’s mostly gravel & an easier option (stroller and wheelchair friendly).

• The trail and parking lots are well maintained and great facilities. Nicest outhouse bathrooms I ever been in!

The Hike

Once parked at the Mountain Road parking lot, the beginning of the trail head is visible with markers at end of the parking lot.

There will be trail signs promptly upon starting the hike at a fork. Stay right and hop on the Ring Trail, which is the white marked trail.

As stated prior, the trail is very well marked. However, the trail is mostly rocks and roots. I saw some reviews mentioning that it was muddy and unpleasant after a rainstorm. And, I totally understand what they meant. The rocks and roots could be slippery. For us, it was dry and there were no issues.

There isn’t much of an elevation gain, only about 340 feet. But there is a small incline as you make your way to the top. Hiking along the Ring Trail, at almost 0.7m, there will be a small foot bridge with a path to the left at the end. This is the Witch Hazel trail. I did not see signs but based on the trail map, this was the way to go.

The Witch Hazel trail is brief. Only a few minutes to reach the Big A Trail. There will also be a small foot bridge.

And following the Big A trail at the top is where the first lookout platform is to take in all the views.

There is another lookout platform with stairs where you can see even higher out into the valley. There is also a fire tower, but it is fenced out and cannot be climbed.

Follow the Big A Trail out until it connects to the Blueberry Bluff, which is marked red. There is also an additional viewpoint here before the Blueberry Bluff.

Continue down the Blueberry Bluff back to the Ring Trail. Take a left at the sign back to the parking lot. You will cross the road at the end to get back to your car.

Southern Maine is tracking to be one of our favorite areas to visit and this was a great first hike in the area. Good hike to get the heart going and see some cool views. The platforms are a cool feature for viewing on the summit. And, the trails and parking lots are so well maintained. I cannot speak highly enough on that. I was not able to find a great guide with details for this hike so I am hopeful this will be helpful for others. It’s also good to see directions/steps before you go to get comfortability. Not a hard hike to follow but I understand where folks can get tripped up. I still do it many times. Luckily, my wife is always the voice of direction. 

POST HIKE ACTIVITIES: The fun doesn’t have to stop here. Lots to do in the area. We stopped by the 90s themed brewery, Odd by Nature Brewing, for some post hike beers and nosh, which is about 8 minutes from the trailhead. And, the Nubble Lighthouse is roughly 15 minutes or so away. Definitely a trip to view. Cape Neddick is really cool. Many restaurants in the area as well. No matter what you decide to do, there is a lot to plan for a great weekend or day trip.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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North-South Lake, North Point, The Catskills, NY

Trail Description: This great day hike in the Catskills at North-South Lake utilizing multiple trails offers stunning views such as Artists Rock, Sunset Rock, Newmans Ledge, and North Point. Also, some popular features such as Ashley Falls, Badmans Cave, and more.

Trail Info:

Where: Haines Falls, NY Distance: 7.0m (4-5 hours) Difficulty: Difficult Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Valley, Lake, Water, Cave, Catksills, Hudson Valley

How to get there:

93 North Lake Road, Haines Falls, NY 12436

https://goo.gl/maps/9rUFAjK3PieRJY7U9

Put the address above in your GPS. You will need to drive through the state park to find the trail. As you get closer, you will pass Scutt Road on the right, then go past the guardhouse. Turn right onto the first fork around the lakes heading south. Follow this road passing a big parking lot on the left until you reach another big parking lot at a dead end, past the pavilions. Park in this area and the trail will start in the back corner.

Hiking Tips

• Not great phone service, so make sure to screenshot a map. Or my guide!

• Lots of signage throughout trail, but keep an eye on the trail markers.

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The Hike

This is a long one folks. Make sure you have all the snacks and hydration necessary on this hike. Once you are ready to go, head to the back right corner of the parking lot for the start of the trail, away from the picnic pavilion and lake area. There will be a gate with a stop sign. Go around the gate and start your trek on the yellow trail toward the old Catskill Mountain House, the first of many sites and views on this hike.

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There will be a junction with the blue trail. Continue to walk straight across the field at the area of the old Catskill Mountain House. Off the ledge of the field will be the first view of the hike overlooking the Hudson Valley.

Turn around and head back toward the junction across the field. Stick to the right and continue following the blue trail until you see the North Lake signage. Past the guardrail with a stop sign, cross another parking lot to re-enter the woods & head straight across to find the blue trail. I did not see a sign (could have missed it) but just keep an eye for the blue markers.

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Pass the picnic tables and this will lead to walking along a chain link fence to the right. At the end of the fence, there is a view off a porch ledge. Keeping straight on blue, the next item to pass is a registration box.

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From here, the hike will begin to have an incline. In about 10 minutes will be the first viewpoint, Artist’s Rock. The first of many views on this hike.

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Continue on the blue trail as the trail gets steeper toward the next viewpoint, Sunset Rock. There will be a set of cliffs above on the right. Sunset Rock viewpoint sits above these cliffs. The trail will eventually get you there. There will be a sign to hop on the yellow trail for Sunset Rock in 0.2 miles.

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Keep a lookout for the markers, then turn right onto the yellow trail. The views will just open up and another incredible view will be had. But this isn’t Sunset Rock quite yet. Keep along the yellow trail and in a few minutes there will be a big rock to the right. I was actually too enamored with the view, I did not take a picture of the rock! But it will be pretty obvious & there is a sign. This area will have the best views of the hike. There will be views of North-South Lake with the Catskills in the background. Pretty jaw dropping in my opinion.

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From here, retrace your steps from the yellow trail back to the blue trail. Turn right at the blue/yellow junction to rejoin the blue trail. There will be signage for Newman’s Ledge, 0.2 miles away, and North Point, 1.6 miles away. The trail will get steeper but in minutes you will reach more awesome views off of Newman’s Ledge.

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In about 0.6 miles the next point of interest is Badman's Cave following the blue trail.

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Continue on the blue trail as it becomes steep then levels out in an open area before re-entering the woods. In 0.6 miles there will be a junction with the red marked Mary Glen’s Trail. The red trail will need to be used but for now continue on the blue trail toward North Point. There will be a sign showing only 0.3 miles to North Point. The ascend for the next 0.3 miles is one of toughest in the hike. There will be a sign for North Point. The views will be beautiful as the Catskills will be right in your sight.

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After you soak in the last of the amazing views, begin to head back toward the junction with the red trail. Take a right to hop on the red trail. This will be a rocky, steady decline as you eventually reach the sign for the North Lake Campsite, which will be another 0.6 miles. This will lead around the lakes onto the paved roads of the campsite. Continue to follow the red trail as you cross a footbridge over a stream. There will be a sign for Ashley Falls off the yellow trail if you wanted to take a look, it was very short but no waterfalls on this hot day in the middle of the summer.

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Continue on the red and take a left on the road by the campsites. Then it will be almost a mile until you get back to the parking lot. At least it is a flat surface to end! Whew, what a hike. Tough but so many views.

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HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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3 Easy Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the United States. It’s got mountain views, rivers, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and meadows of wildflowers in the summer months. To say I was ecstatic to visit for the first time would be an understatement. However, this turned out to be a very interesting trip to plan and taught me some valuable lessons. One month before the trip, my wife tore her ACL hiking. I spent so many hours planning and like that, I had to shift plans. Credit to my amazing wife, she still wanted to go to Mount Rainier as planned and make the best out of it. Would I like this to be a full blown guide of the park? Of course. But stuff happens and guess what? Trips always work out. Our trip consisted of lots of driving through the park over 3 days and as many easy walks as possible as my wife was still able to put some pressure on her leg (she had surgery the week we came back). And, we still had an absolutely amazing time. The park is so big that we barely covered it. Sticking to the easier things to do in the park, I realized not every trip has to be insanely packed and hiking crazy to enjoy it. National Parks are for everyone. You don’t need to even hike too much if at all to enjoy it. I saw so many families and many elderly enjoying the park. For me, that is what it is about and I hope to be in my 70s-80s enjoying National Parks still. With that said, we were able to find some easier hikes with amazing views.

Some brief info on the park. Mount Rainier National Park is about 2-3 hours from Seattle based on the entrance you choose and a good 3 hours from Portland, OR. The best time to go to the park would likely be July to October. I would lean toward August or September but it really is a gamble. It was only clear and sunny one day when I visited and the other 2 days were cloudy, rainy, & foggy, and Mount Rainier was covered by the clouds. The park is huge and has 5 main sections: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich. Paradise is the most common and has the main park visitor center. Always make sure to check for closures and weather. For instance, one of the hikes I will be recommending, Grove of the Patriarchs, is currently closed for the rest of 2022. 

As stated above, the Nationals Parks are really built for everyone these days. There is so much to see and you don’t need to do long or difficult hikes to get incredible views. If you want to get the best experience out of Mount Rainier National, here are 3 easy hikes that will be quick and fulfilling. Plus, a bonus viewpoint that may be one of the coolest areas to photograph in the park.

Myrtle Falls via Skyline Trail

Distance: 0.8 miles Trail Type: Out & Back

Getting to Myrtle Falls is a simple out & back from the Paradise parking area. Starting at the Skyline Trail on the paved portion heading east for about 0.4 miles and then crossing a small footbridge over Edith Creek Basin. Take a left off the path for the Myrtle Falls viewpoint. This is one of the popular waterfalls in the park standing at 60 feet with Mount Rainier standing tall in the background. This short hike is mostly all paved with little incline so this is for all ages and families looking to get amazing views.

Nisqually Vista Trail

Distance: 1.1 miles Trail Type: Loop

The Nisqually Vista Trail, located in the lower Paradise parking lot by the Henry Jackson Visitor Center, offers stunning mountain views and the trail is filled with wildflowers. There are several lookouts to view Mount Rainier, the Nisqually River, and potentially the lower reaches of the Nisqually Glacier. There is not much elevation to this trail and is one of the only paved trails in the park. This is another family friendly option and strollers are welcome starting from the upper Paradise parking lot, which has ramps to access trails. 

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Distance: 1.1 miles Trail Type: Out & Back

The one word I felt walking along the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail was enchanted. Walking through the forest, the bright green color everywhere, all the moss, and of course the massive trees! This short hike is located on the Southeast section of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail meanders along the Ohanapecosh River that takes you to a suspension bridge to a small island destination. Here you will be surrounded by Douglas-firs, silver fir, hemlock, and Western red cedar trees. Some of the large trees can be 40-50 feet in diameter and over 300 feet tall. A very unique and breathtaking trail that is very flat for all ages to explore in the park.

Bonus: Reflection Lake

Another easy to access destination with amazing views is Reflection Lake. Located off Steven Canyon Rd, a few miles from the Paradise turnoff, just a short walk from the car is a perfect photography opportunity of Mount Rainier reflecting in the water. A great spot for sunset or sunrise. There are connecting hiking trails around the lake but all is needed is a view off the road. Definitely a bucket list stop in Mount Rainier National Park. My personal favorite of my trip even with the cloudy weather.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Bull Hill (Mt Taurus) Hike, Cold Spring, NY

Trail Description: Bull Hill (Mt Taurus) is a loop trail that offers amazing views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains in the Hudson Highlands such as Storm King and Breakneck Ridge.

Trail Info:

Where: Cold Spring, NY Distance: 5.4m (3-4 hours) Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Valley, River, Ruins

How to get there:

The trailhead is north of Cold Spring village along Route 9D by about a mile. The parking is shared with Little Stony Point. The location you may see searching on google map will be the Washburn Trail, which is where the hike begins.

Click here for parking lot coordinates

Hiking Tips

• There are multiple trails, can choose short or long route.

• Stick to a loop trail and connecting to other trails to get back. The terrain is steep going up, probably not fun going down…unless that is your thing!

• Parking lot is small, fills up very quick on weekends!

The Hike

Starting at the parking area, you have a decision. How long do you want to hike? To be completely honest, my intention was to take the short route but I ended up hiking about the same as the full loop somehow. So, this is the short loop with a little twist. To begin, start trekking on the right to the white marked trail, the Washburn Trail.

The trail follows through the woods along a road at first with a gradual incline. This will lead to an open area with a sign to take a sharp right to continue on the trail.

This is a well marked trail and there are many signs for all the viewpoints.

The first few miles are pretty steep before you reach some viewpoints.

The first viewpoint will be a view of the Hudson River with Breakneck & Storm King Mountain in the background. Shortly after, the second viewpoint provides views of Cold Spring & West Point in the distance.

Continue along the white trail markers as the trail incline increases. There will be more views to take in. Eventually, the trail reaches an intersection. The short loop will be to your left following the yellow marker and the full loop is straight ahead following the white trail. I wanted to reach the summit view of Mt Taurus so I went straight here. Continue on this trail and you will notice some rocks with the word “View” painted with arrows pointing up. This will lead to the astonishing views from Bull Hill (Mt Taurus).

From here, I retraced my steps back down to the intersection and hopped on the yellow marked trail (Short Loop). You could continue on the long loop as well.

Once on the yellow marked trail, there continues to be awesome views such a clear shot of Storm King Mountain.

Follow the yellow marked trail until reaching signage for the red marked trail to connect to. There will be a stream to your right and a bridge to pass. Follow that and the blue marked trail will connect quickly and this will lead you all the way to the parking lot. There will be gradual decline in switchbacks and will become flat pavement for the last mile or so. Along the blue trail, the ruins of the Cornish Estate can be explored as well but this was a very crowded day so I decided to skip that.

This is a fun hike with so many viewpoints and exploration. It is certainly not easy with a lot of steep inclines the first few miles but the views are nonstop you won’t even notice the difficulty. This is definitely one of the better marked trails and there are many trail options to make the hike your own. Fantastic day hike!

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Hiking the Breakneck Ridge Trail, New York

Trail Description: The Breakneck Ridge hike is one of the most challenging trails in the Hudson Valley. The mountain is known for rocky terrain, steep rock scrambling, and beautiful views of the Hudson Valley. This trail is immensely popular due to its easy access.

Trail Info:

Where: Cold Spring, NY Distance: 3.7 miles (3.5-4.5 hours) Difficulty: Strenuous Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, River, Mountains, Rock Scrambling

How to get there:

Typing the location “Breakneck Ridge Trailhead” into Google Maps will take you near the parking areas. There are multiple parking spots along State Road 9D, just park where you can north of the tunnel. There is a small lot near the trailhead and a larger lot further down.

Click here for coordinates

For those concerned about parking/driving, this hike is accessible via train. There is a MTA to the Breakneck Ridge train station that is within walking distance to the trail on weekends only.

Hiking Tips

• Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds, if possible. Go early on weekends. 

• Be prepared to rock scramble & use your hands to scale the cliff.

• Not dog friendly (unless small dog that you can carry or your dog is a mountain climber)

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The Hike

After parking, make sure you are walking along the right hand side of the road. The trailhead starts to the right of the tunnel, where there is trail signage and maps. 

There are 3 trail route options for Breakneck Ridge. There is a sign explaining this at the beginning of the trail. The options consist of the short loop (2 hours) ,the regular/classic loop (3 hours), or the trail back to Cold Spring (4 hours). This guide will be the option we took which is the full classic loop.

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There is a set of rock stairs that will bring you to the sharp ascent. Follow the white trail markers and start climbing! The terrain on the trail is pretty hard right away. There is a very steep ascent and I needed my hands and knees to get me through this portion of the hike. If you did bring hiking poles, I would suggest securing the poles to your backpack here as they will not be helpful. Depending on your level of climbing up, this can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. 

Keep climbing until you reach the flagpole. You will see Pollepel Island with Bannerman’s Castle to your right, along with views of Storm King Mountain straight ahead across the river.

After taking in the views and enjoying a break, continue to follow the white markers as the incline continues. This part is less intense but still some rock scrambling. There is an area in the trail where you can choose to go steeper or take the easier ascent marked with X with an arrow pointing left & right. The easier route was definitely welcomed after the steep climb.

Continue to climb higher and there is another viewpoint with the flagpole far in the distance from above.

Keep climbing until there are no more bluffs and cannot continue further.This is where you head into the forest. The next few miles are much, much easier. You could go back down the way you came but it’s a tough way down and you will be greeted with a traffic jam of many hikers ascending up.

Continue on white markers &  ignore the yellow marked trail for now.

There will be a fork eventually. Look for a turn off to the red marked trail (tough to miss red marking on rock). Follow red trail down a gradual descent through woods.

Depending on your pace, the red trail will dead end in about 30-60 minutes where you take left onto yellow trail (Wilkinson Memorial Trail) and keep going downhill and follow all the way to the parking area.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Acadia National Park Guide - Best Things to do

Acadia National Park is located along the rocky coastline of Maine and is the only major national park in the northeast. The beauty of the rugged coastline along with the variety of ponds, lakes, forests, and granite peaks are home to some stunning visuals. And, of course, a hiker’s dream with unique and exciting hiking trails that offer breathtaking views or easy strolls along the coastal paths. I can’t believe I waited so long to visit. My national park philosophy is the closer it is, the more opportunities I would have to visit. Thus, I put off Acadia. It took a major life change from a global pandemic for me to make the time to drive up to Acadia. My wife and I decided to take a long weekend trip and visit last October to check out some of the fall foliage. With only a few days to explore, we had an action packed itinerary and were able to enjoy lots of what Acadia National Park has to offer. This guide is based on what we did. However, there is additional info that will give you the tools you need to plan a short or long trip along with some practical tips.

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Beehive Trail Summit views

About Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park comprises 3 regions: Mount Desert Island (MDI), Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut. The majority of the park is located on Mount Desert Island and is the easiest to access from Bar Harbor, the main town where tourists stay. Schoodic Peninsula is the area to visit if you want to get away from the crowds and is about an hour ride from Bar Harbor. Isle au Haut is a remote island only accessible by ferry. It takes a full day to visit Isle au Haut from Mount Desert Island.

The park costs are $30 per car, $25 per motorbike, and $15 per individual coming in on foot, valid for 7 days.  Acadia National Park is open year round, however, roads and visitor centers close from late fall to spring.

Travel tip: Stop at the visitor center and get a map. Talk to some rangers to get info on hikes or destinations within the park.

How to Get to Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is found in Maine’s Mount Desert Island, off the east coast of Maine. The closest city to Acadia National Park is Bar Harbor. 

Car: This is the most convenient way to get to the park. And, in my opinion, the best way to travel so you can go wherever you want within the park at your leisure. It is approximately a five-hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts, a three-hour drive from Portland, Maine, and an eight-hour drive from New York City.

Flying: The closest airports to Acadia are as follows:

• Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)- 8 miles

• Bangor International Airport (BGR)- 50 miles

• Portland International Jetport (PWM)- 173 miles

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)- 274 miles

Travel Tip: If you can not find parking or do not want to have a car, there is a park shuttle that runs during peak season. The shuttle includes stops in Bar Harbor, Hulls Cove Visitor Center, and various places in the park.

When to Visit Acadia National Park

The best time to visit Acadia National Park is in the fall, specifically September and October. This is when the park's gorgeous fall foliage is at full display. This is also one of the busiest times to visit but it is well worth the views and leaf peeping experience. 

Summer is a good time to visit but this is the peak season. In addition, there is a higher volume of mosquitoes and ticks. Spring is another good option. Be wary, the weather can change quickly any time due to the park’s far north, coastal location. This can range from rainy to extreme fog to super hot or very cold. Winter is the least favorable option due to shorter days, road closures, facility closings and it’s very cold.

Travel Tip: Currently, during the covid pandemic, this has caused a huge spike in visitors to the U.S. national parks, especially Acadia. Expect the park to be busy, with the exception of winter, as this is the place to go if you are within 8-10 hours driving distance.

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Foggy fall foliage at Jordan Pond

Best Things to do in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is full of many options for casual tourists, hikers, bikers, climbers, and photographers while visiting. Planning all you want to do can be hard but also the fun part. Here are some recommendations from our long weekend trip.

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Views of the The Bowl from Champlain Mountain Trail

Watch the Sunrise or Sunset at Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the US to view the sunrise and the highest peak on Mount Desert Island. The sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean was a bucket list item for myself but even if you are only able to catch the sunset, the view is breathtaking. This was definitely worth the 3:30am wake up call.

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Cadillac Mountain Sunrise

By far, this is the most popular area of the park. Parking is very limited so I recommend getting there at least an hour before sunrise. Once you drive to the top and park, you can just walk around the summit and look for a place to watch. No hiking is involved. However, there is a 0.3 miles trail at the top if you choose to do so. The weather can impact your experience. We dealt with quite a bit of fog all weekend. Due to the higher elevation, fog could block the views. However, the weather decided to cooperate and the skies were clear. And, we were able to see an amazing sunrise. 

**IMPORTANT INFO**: This area of the park, you will now need reservations. The National Park Service has implemented a reservation system late-May through mid-October to cut down on traffic on Cadillac Mountain Summit Road. You can find details here on how to make a reservation.

Travel Tip: The top of Cadillac Mountain can be very windy and temperatures are much colder. Pack layers to stay warm and hand warmers, if applicable. Also, we brought head lamps to find a spot to watch since it was dark.

Go Hiking

The hiking trails in Acadia National Park can vary in difficulty, length, and elevation. There is something for all levels of hikers. 

Some of the appeal to the hikes in Acadia is the excitement and thrill. There are a large number of trails with ladders and metal rungs. Similar to a via ferrata, you can hike along narrow ledges and climb up sheer rock faces with the help of metal rungs. Hikes that feature iron rungs and cliff walks include the Precipice Trail, the Beehive Trail, the Jordan Cliffs Trail, and the Beech Cliff Ladder Trail. However, if this is not for you, there are plenty of other hikes to choose from. 

Starting with the easier hikes in the park, we did the Jordan Pond Loop, which is a 3.4 mile stroll around the Jordan Pond. Combining this with the Bubbles hike is an option. Check out my guide here on the Jordan Pond Loop Trail here. 

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Jordan Pond and the Bubbles

Other easier hiking trails include: Ocean Path (up to 4 miles or less), South Bubble (1.5m), & Cadillac Mountain Summit Loop (0.3m).

The Gorham Mountain Trail is a good option for a moderate hike. About 1.8 miles with some steep sections. Unfortunately, we were met with nothing but fog at the top. It was a fun hike but no views to show for. 

Other moderately strenuous hikes include: Pemetic Mountain (6m), Penobscot and Sargent Mountains (5m) and North Bubble and Conners Nubble (3.5m).

Let’s get crazy. Of course, we had to do the Beehive Trail. Aside from Cadillac Mountain, this is probably the next popular attraction and the most popular hike. This thrilling hike heads up to a steep mountain that features a section with narrow cliff edges, iron rungs to climb up and several handrails for exposed rock scrambling. This spectacular peak overlooks Sand Beach from the northwest. This hike can be very crowded and there can be a log jam using the iron rungs to climb. This hike is very dangerous so please take your time. If you have a fear of heights, this is not for you.

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Hiking the Beehive

Due to the shorter time we had to explore, we included The Bowl and Champlain Mountain summit to this hike as well. They can be done separately but make sense to include. Adding these additional trails brought the hike to about 5 miles. The views were amazing. For more specific info on hiking directions, check out my guide here.

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Views from the Champlain Mountain Summit

Additional intense hikes to be deemed as difficult options include: Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs Trail, and the Beech Cliff Ladder Trail.

Travel Tip #1: Weather can shift your plans. Be prepared with additional activities or hikes. It might be too foggy for views or the rain might make hiking dangerous. For instance, any hike with iron rungs, I would not suggest to attempt on a rainy day. 

Travel Tip #2: If attempting the Beehive Trail, get there early for parking. The Sand Beach parking lot is where you park and fills up very fast.

Drive along Park Loop Road

Park Loop Road is a 27 mile loop that takes you to all the popular destinations in the park. The loop starts at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. This scenic drive is a great start to an Acadia trip with some viewpoints and turnouts. Some sections can be very narrow and mostly one-way. The most notable stops along the way include:

• Sand Beach

• Thunder Hole

• Otter Cliff

• Jordan Pond

• Cadillac Mountain (reservation needed)

Travel Tip: Be sure to grab a park map to plan your stops. Since the majority of the road is one way, you can not turn around if you miss something.

Sand Beach

Located on Park Loop Road, it is worth the time to stop at Sand Beach. From here you can hop on the Ocean Path Trail that is an easy walk along the eastern coastline. The trail is 2 miles round trip to Thunder Hole and 4 miles round trip to Otter Point. How far you go is up to you. You could stroll along like us and make some detours to the rocks & turn around.

Travel Tip: The main parking lot to Sand Beach is the biggest in the park. However, this is parking for all the trails listed for Sand Beach and located right across from the start of the Beehive Trail. We found parking around 8am. And, by 9-10am, the lot was full. Getting to popular parking earlier is always the best bet.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is a natural inlet where you can watch waves come crashing against the rocks, creating a thunderous sound. These thunderous crashes are very dependent on the tide. Calm waves or low tide may offer an anticlimactic experience. We are able to hear the crashing noises but nothing too crazy as far as the water height.

Travel Tip: If possible, per research online, the best time to go is about two hours before high tide. Check out the tide charts here.

Jordan Pond House

The Jordan Pond House has been open since the 1890s and is famous for their delicious popovers. We stopped for lunch and other items on the menu as well were delicious. Get the blueberry lemonade, you won’t regret it. 

Famous popover and Blueberry Lemonade

Not only is there great food, but there are great views as well. This restaurant is located at the shore of Jordan Pond, where you can take in the views of the North and South Bubbles in the distance. Also, this is where the Jordan Pond Loop Trail can be accessed.

Travel Tip: Parking is tough midday here. There is a small lot at the restaurant and then another bigger lot down the road. However, it is still not enough. We found better success after the lunch crowd after 2pm to enjoy a late lunch post hike. Also, their hours change by season so I would research before you go.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

On the west side of the park, the most popular destination is the Bar Harbor Head Lighthouse. The amazing views of the rocky coastline along with the lighthouse is about as Maine as it gets. And, this setting is what brings so many tourists and photographers to visit. Upon arriving, there is a very, tiny parking lot. Sunset is the best time to come but the absolute busiest time. You will need to get there a few hours before sunset to get a spot. There is a path to the right where you can walk right up to the lighthouse. However, if you want that coastal view, there is a path to the left at the end of the parking lot that takes you down to the rocks. 

Sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Travel Tip: Based on my experience, it was about as busy as going to Costco on a Saturday afternoon on a holiday weekend. We got there an hour or so before sunset on a Saturday. Cars were lined up on the narrow road in a log jam and park rangers were turning cars away. I did see people parking even down the road up to almost a mile and walking to it. My wife stayed in the car & I ran down to the path. When I got down to the rocks, there were so many people, it was hard to get a good view. I had to leap rock to rock and ask for people to move out the way to get a picture (politely of course because there was some yelling going on over pictures!). I would suggest going off peak hours or on a weekday if possible. 

Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut

We did not get a chance to visit but I would have looked into these other areas of the park if we had more time. Schoodic Point is another great area to see beautiful views of the coastline, with far less of crowds. And remember, Isle Au Haut is only accessible by ferry. Please note that they limit the number of visitors allowed in the Isle au Haut section to protect the environment, so I would suggest stopping by the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to plan ahead.

Carriage Roads

There are 45 miles of car-free carriage roads that run through the park. Here you will find hikers, bikers, and horses along the crushed rock surfaces. There are multiple access points and just another option to enjoy nature in the park.

Explore Bar Harbor

The town of Bar Harbor may be the one of the most exciting towns in the U.S near a National Park. There is so much to do here. This small town is full of great restaurants, bars, and unique shops. Everything is within walking distance and a very safe environment. Also, there are spectacular views of the harbor. 

Where to Stay

There are numerous accommodations to stay near Acadia National Park. Airbnbs, bed & breakfasts, and hotels are plenty on Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is the closest town with the most going on. If you want to stay a bit farther away from the crowds, there are options in the Northeast Harbor, Bass Harbor, or Southwest Harbor. And, there are campgrounds as well such as: Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic Woods, and Duck Harbor Campgrounds. 

We stayed at the Island Place, which was affordable and convenient. Walking distance to food and 15 minute ride to the park. Some other options include the Bar Harbor Quality Inn, Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, Bar Harbor Inn & Spa, Shore Path Cottage, and The Elmhurst Inn.

Where to Eat

If you follow this website, you know it’s about travel, hiking, and food. All about finding the good spots to eat and you know I found where to get donuts. With that said, we actually only ate out a few times and packed snacks & lunch (Hannaford’s is right in the center of town in Bar Harbor). We went to Side Street Cafe for dinner, which is very popular. The wait was pretty long but it was an excellent meal. If you want lobster, this is the place. We actually got lobster stew and it was fantastic. For breakfast, we stopped at 2 Cats for some baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and donuts! Also, they have pretty funny cat puns at all their signs.

Other recommendations based on research to try include: Havana, Atlantic Brewing Company, Jeanine’s Great Maine Breakfast, Docksider, Rosalie’s Pizza, Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, C-Ray Lobster, & Rose Eden Lobster.

If you have any further questions about planning your trip to Acadia National Park, please post in the comment box below.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

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How to Hike The Beehive Trail, The Bowl, & Champlain Mountain, Acadia National Park

Trail Description: This hike climbs The Beehive via cliffs and iron rungs that leads to The Bowl (a pond), and then climbs up to the summit of Champlain Mountain. There are amazing views from the summits and various spots on the trail.

Trail Info:

Where: Bar Harbor, ME, Acadia National Park Distance: 4.9 miles (5-6 hours) Difficulty: Strenuous Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Water, Pond, Cliffs, Summit

How to get there:

Sand Beach Parking lot in Acadia National Park. There are restrooms here. In addition, there is beach access and other hiking trails. 

Directions to Parking Lot

Hiking Tips

• If you have a fear of heights, the Beehive Trail is not recommended for you.

• If it has rained recently and the trail is very wet, I would recommend not including the steep climb portion of the Beehive Trail on that day.

• Be sure to take this loop trail counter-clockwise. You do not want to climb down the irons rungs nor clog up traffic.

• This is the one of the most popular hikes. It will be very busy, start early!

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The Hike

The Beehive loop hike at Acadia National Park is probably #1 on most tourists' itinerary. This is a short and steep hike with some exhilarating but dangerous sections using iron rungs to climb up the side of the mountain. The hike is not for the faint of heart. The experience alone makes this a bucket list adventure. So, of course, it was one of my top priorities visiting Acadia for the first time. My wife and I went for a few days last fall. Due to time constraints, I needed to ensure I got the best bang for my buck. Luckily, The Beehive trail intersects with the Bowl which connects to the trail that summits Champlain Mountain. Now, you could do all 3 of these separately but this was a no brainer. This allowed my wife and I to see more amazing views in the allotted time we had. 

The trailhead is located on the opposite side of the street, about 100 yards across from the Sand Beach parking lot. From the parking lot, start heading on the gravel path to the right of the parking lot entrance as you walk up to Park Loop Road. Cross the road and the trailhead for the Bowl Trail will be right there. Just follow the crowd! The trail is flat but rocky to start. After 0.2m turn right onto the Beehive Trail where Bowl Trail goes straight. Follow the blue blazed trail.

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This is where the climbing begins. First are the short staircases. Then, there are a few narrow ledges with sheer drops. Followed by climbing iron rungs used to assist in the ascent up the vertical rocks. All completely exposed. You have some options here if you are not comfortable going up the Beehive Trail using the iron rungs. There is an option to access The Beehive from the backside or skip it entirely and choose to head to The Bowl. I enjoyed this as it was challenging and thrilling. And, the views were awesome. However, it is not to be taken lightly. It is dangerous. Take your time and be thoughtful to your fellow hikers. This part of the hike is relatively short.

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At around 0.6m, we reached the summit of the Beehive Trail and enjoyed some amazing views of Sand Beach and Great Head. The hard work is worth it!

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Continuing on the blue blazed trail, go straight through an intersection where a connecting trail leaves left. At 0.9m, this is where we reached the shore of a pond, known as The Bowl.

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Follow the path with the wooden boards on the left along the shoreline for 0.1m to split in the trail. The Bowl goes left and Champlain South Ridge Trail will veer to the right. Take the right and follow Champlain South Ridge Trail. The sign indicates 1.6m to Champlain Mountain from here. There is an amazing view of The Bowl as you hike higher up the mountain.

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Be weary of the blue markings along the trail and follow the cairns. There are more spectacular views at the summit of Champlain Mountain. This summit is less hectic than the Beehive so this is a good spot to have a snack and relax.

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After soaking in the views, retrace your steps down to The Bowl. There are four paths leaving the summit, ensure you are heading the direction you came up. Once you get down to The Bowl intersection, bear right away from the pond and take the rest of the trail back to Park Loop Road for about 0.8m. You will pass two trails on the right leading up to Gorham Mountain and two trails on the left heading to the Beehive. Just keep going straight at all intersections. 

This will lead you back to where you started. As mentioned above, we decided to combine all three trails so we can see more. I would highly recommend this particular loop in this fashion. Lots of great views. Amazing hike. The Beehive hype is real. Bucket list checked off.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Poets’ Walk Park, Red Hook, NY

Trail Description: Poets’ Walk Park is an easy jaunt through scenic meadows that offers wonderful views of the Hudson River and Catskills.

Trail Info:

Where: Red Hook, NY Distance: 2.4m (1.5 hours) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Water, River, Bridge

How to get there:

776 River Road, (County Road 103) Red Hook, NY

https://goo.gl/maps/y9V6GaXcWxRzqd6P9

Hiking Tips

• Walk the entire loop. Many see the views of the bridge initially and turn around.

• Not great phone service, so make sure to screenshot a map. Or my guide!

• For trail map, click HERE.

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The Hike

As I continue to look for the best bang for your buck views, I really don’t think it gets better than taking a stroll through Poets’ Walk Park in the fall.  The Hudson Valley is full of amazing landscape and mountainous views. Most of those views require challenging hiking. However, a leisurely stroll in Poets’ Walk Park offers stunning views of the Catskills and the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.

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From the parking lot, begin walking on the gravel road by the trail signage. Continuing straight through the open field will lead you to a gazebo structure. Walking through the gazebo, there is the first “oh snap” view of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge with the Catskills looming in the background. There is a neat little wooden bench to take a seat and enjoy the views.

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The trail will split from here, where the loop begins. Either direction will bring you back to this spot. We chose left heading toward the river. Some great views of Catskills to the right and a closer view of the bridge to the left. The loop will begin on the right and suddenly you will find myself thwarted into the woods. There will be a few bridges to cross. If you need a moment of solitude, the Summerhouse gazebo area is a good spot to take a seat and look out into the mountains above the river.

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From the Summerhouse structure, just retrace your steps back to the trail split and head on back to the parking lot. Easy peasy. The skies cleared on our the way back and the fall colors really popped. Just incredible views.

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Depending on how long you choose to explore, take pictures, and enjoy the benches, this shouldn’t take more than an hour and half, give or take. Definitely one of those places I considered keeping to myself but the place was crazy packed. There is no secret here. It’s a spectacular park to visit for stunning views.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Jordan Pond Loop Trail, Acadia National Park

Trail Description: The trail is an easy hike that circles Jordan Pond with many opportunities to explore the shore and observe wonderful views.

Trail Info:

Where: Mount Desert, ME Distance: 3.4m (1.5-2 hours) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Pond, Water

How to get there:

The Jordan Pond North Parking Lot is located on the left side of Park Loop Rd at the Jordan Pond House. There is another lot next to the restaurant for additional parking as the lot fills up quickly.

https://goo.gl/maps/oQGDyrrCaNHjccsb8

Hiking Tips

• Weekends are super crowded. Beware! Parking can be tough.

• Post hike, eat at the Jordan Pond House. Get a popover & blueberry lemonade!

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The Hike

One of the more iconic landscapes you will see at Acadia National Park is Jordan Pond. If you find yourself in Acadia, this has to be added to your list of things to check out. The shoreline of the pond has amazing views of The Bubbles, two glacially sculpted mountains at the northern end of Jordan Pond. The views are great all times of day, especially sunset and stargazing at night. Not only are the views spectacular, but the rewards of delicious food at the Jordan Pond House is almost worth the visit alone. 

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This was my very first trip to Acadia. I was not a happy camper to show up to nothing but fog. However, as I am learning, planning trips for national parks is impossible. You take what you can get from mother nature. Even though it was foggy, my wife and I decided to circle Jordan Pond as intended. We did have a few moments where the fog began to lift for some cool views on the pond and a tease of that fall foliage we drove 6.5 hours for! But that dissipated rather quickly. Even so, the eerie look was pretty cool. 

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The beginning of the trail can be found at the end of the field at the Jordan Pond House.  The trail will be split as you approach. We chose to head right to stroll along the east side first. This section of the trail is more level. There are some bridges to cross over the streams that flow into the pond. As we made our way to the left side, there is a dirt trail, boulders, and a wooden plank path through the wetlands. The last 0.5m of the hike was on elevated boards, which I thought was a really cool way to protect the ecosystem. There are various points on the trail where you can hop off and explore the pond's shores. Other than that, the trail is well-marked and pretty self-explanatory. 

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The other great thing is that you do not need to really hike that entire trail to see some amazing views. The Jordan Pond House practically overlooks the pond. We did not get a chance to eat there the first day so we came back the next day and the weather was beautiful. I walked around the east side again briefly and I was able to see the stunning views I came here for.

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Make no mistake, the views are as advertised. BUT do not, at any circumstance, miss out on a popover from the Jordan Pond House. By far, the best meal I have ever had in a national park. That popover with the jam and butter and you have to get the blueberry lemonade, magnifico! We actually tried the bison meatloaf sandwich too. Pretty damn good.

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For views like this in a national park, this is as easy as it gets for a hike, or leisurely stroll. The trail is for everyone including children & dogs. It’s a great starter hike to get blood flowing or cool down after some more treacherous trails. This is a classic Acadia hike that should be added to your National Park bucket list. The view of the water with the curves of The Bubbles in the background is quite memorable. And, when you finish, it’s time for a popover!

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every change I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Pine Knob Loop Trail, Sharon, CT

Trail Description: The Pine Knob Loop Trail is located in Housatonic Meadows State Park and Housatonic State Forest. This short, challenging trail connects to the Appalachian Trail. The hike will bring you to a beautiful vista view of rolling hills over the Housatonic River valley.

Trail Info:

Where: Sharon, CT Distance: 2.8m (2 hours) Difficulty: Moderate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Valley, River

How to get there:

By google mapping, “Pine Knob Loop Trail” this should lead you to the trail parking area. Link below.

https://goo.gl/maps/36Fa5oy7HjjrHTZP9

You will see the parking lot located on the left coming from Route US-7 N. There is a visible sign as well. The lot can fit 15-20 cars.

Hiking Tips

• Go counter clockwise if you like your knees!

• Not great phone service, so make sure to screenshot a map. Or my guide!

• Due to storms, some trees are down with trail markings. Just make sure to keep an eye out.

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The Hike

Beginning the hike, the trail leads directly into the woods. There is a small brook to cross that leads to the fork of the start of the trail, where you will see the blue blazed trail sign. Prior to the hike, my wife and I did some research and counterclockwise was recommended based on our findings. We prefer to go up an incline & scramble then come down on a steep decline. This is the knee friendly option and safer in my opinion (lessons learned). Also, I like to get the hard stuff out of the way. Staying straight at the fork on the blue blaze trail is how we started. The steep incline starts gradually about 0.4m into the hike. Really get the blood flowing out the gate.

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The terrain will be a bit of a strenuous incline then leveling off with a small decline and then right back to steady uphill climb. Nothing your average hiker can’t handle.

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At 1.1m, this is the time to catch your breath when you reach the first sneak peek of views. Then it is all worth it when you see the spectacular vista view of the hills and mountains of the North West valley of Connecticut. From here you can see Bald Mountain, Bread Loaf Mountain, Woodbury Mountain, DudleyHill, and Whitecomb Hill. Really impressive view.

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After absorbing the stunning views, continue back onto the blue trail until this connects with the Appalachian Trail that is the white trail marking at about 1.3m. 

Connecticut has had a plethora of storms lately so there are many trees down. Some had trail markings on them so be mindful of that. Otherwise, this is an amazingly marked trail and easy to follow. At 1.7m, you will see the rolling hills view again from the east. This view is blocked by some trees but is still amazing nonetheless.

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At 2.1m, the blue and white trail will go separate ways. Turn left on the blue trail to finish the loop. We noticed a hatch brook that appears to have water cascading down on certain days but it has been dry lately. Nothing to see on this day. The rest of the hike was a fairly easy stroll through the trees and forest.

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The Northwest part of Connecticut is unexplored territory for me. Based on my research, this area of CT offers many great hiking trails. The Pine Knob Loop Trail was my first experience in the area. And, I was not disappointed. The trail was not busy at all. We saw more people once we connected to the Appalachian Trail portion. I would highly suggest hiking poles for this trail. The hike offered various degrees of difficulty and an amazing summit view. This would be a great fall foliage hike. Also, there are two wineries within 15 minutes from the hike if you need to persuade a hiking companion. Looking for something different, check this one out!

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every change I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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