The Beehive Trail - Acadia National Park Hiking Guide скачать в хорошем качестве

The Beehive Trail - Acadia National Park Hiking Guide

Towering over Sand Beach along the Park Loop Road on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park stands an impressive, unmistakable mountain known simply as The Beehive. It’s not the height that makes this mountain so well-known, as it stands at only 539 feet above sea level, instead it’s the jaw-dropping ascent over iron rungs and ladders with virtually endless views over the Southeastern corner of Acadia National Park and off into the Atlantic Ocean. The Beehive Trail is a 1.5 mile loop that is generally considered to be one of the two most-challenging hikes in the park, the other being the Precipice Trail, which is closed most of the summer due to Peregrine Falcon nesting. It is important that hikers be aware of the inherent risks and dangers before starting this hike. Small children and those with a fear of heights should not attempt this trail. Dogs are not allowed on the Beehive Trail per the National Park Service, and it is not recommended for hikers to climb down the mountain face, rather to ascend the mountain face in one direction and loop down and around the back of the mountain by The Bowl, a small mountain pond located behind the mountain, and back around to the parking lot. The Beehive is located along the popular Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park. It can be found nestled within a relatively small area that also includes iconic destinations such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Otter Cliffs. Because of its proximity to other well-known park sites it’s recommended that hikers plan ahead to park at the Sand Beach parking lot earlier in the morning; typically before 9 AM. The earlier, the better. Pro tip: if you’re a confident hiker, bring a headlamp and head up just before sunrise to enjoy the spectacle from the summit (avoiding the Cadillac Mountain crowds and permits). The Sand Beach parking lot is the ideal place to begin your hike to the top of The Beehive. This area offers many amenities that will help you get off on the right foot including restrooms, drinking water stations, changing rooms, and even an Island Explorer park shuttle stop if you choose to take advantage of the free Acadia National Park shuttle system. Hiking The Beehive Trail From the parking area you’ll begin by walking out of the parking lot entrance and taking a right to head north up the Park Loop Road. There is a paved footpath that runs along the east side of the road for a few hundred feet which ends at a crosswalk that takes you across the Park Loop Road right to The Beehive Trailhead. The Beehive Trail isn’t especially long, however it does pose some challenges along the way. From the beginning of the trail you will cover the first stretch over a moderately difficult rock scramble. You’ll follow blue paint blazes on the rocks to stay on course. This first stage leads you to a well-marked intersection with signs pointing you Right, towards The Beehive, or straight towards The Bowl, a small but pristine mountain pond located between The Beehive, Champlain Mountain, and Gorham Mountain. Most hikers summiting The Beehive will find themselves looping by The Bowl on their return to the trailhead.  Once you take this right you’ll begin to ascend to the foot of The Beehive. Warning signs will make mention of the potential dangers and rules when hiking this trail. It becomes quite clear once you start to ascend the mountain, the dirt trail gives way to steep granite switchbacks and rocky steps. It does not take long before you’ll be catching sight of Sand Beach the Park Loop Road, and Great Head down below. The view becomes a reliable occurrence throughout the hike and only improves the higher you go. One of the reasons that so many visitors to Acadia are drawn to The Beehive is due to the iron rungs, ladders, and bridges that one must navigate in order to reach the summit. It doesn’t take long before these features come into view. The iron rungs themselves are generally used to help provide a hand hold when climbing up over larger rock formations, however there are moments where the rungs become ladders that help you reach the top. Once at the final stretch, the intense cliffs give way to the familiar rocky summits that Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island are so well known for. From here you’ll find hikers taking in the views and celebrating their success as you trek across the remaining few hundred feet to The Beehive summit marker. It’s at this point that the north side of the mountain becomes visible providing nearly 360° views that now include Dorr Mountain and the Precipice Trail to the north Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands, and Frenchman Bay to the northeast, and a sweeping view of the west side of the Schoodic Peninsula to your direct east. For more information on Acadia National Park trails, visit https://acadiaeastcampground.com/area...