One Dive at a Time: Acadia: The Precipice

Every year that we have come to Acadia, the most popular trail has been closed. The Precipice Trail at Acadia is the most popular trail for good reason. The views are spectacular and the challenge is great. But alas the peregrine falcons have prevented us from climbing this trail for the past 2 years. But not this year! Due to the time of year we had to come this year, the falcons were gone. And that meant the trail was open!

The view from the bottom. Yes, you are headed to the top with the Precipice Trail!

This is a trail with several areas of iron rungs (some completely vertical), some exposed cliff walks, rock climbing and even some "tunnels" where you have to squeeze through some tight spaces! It was ranked one of the top 10 scenic hikes in America!

It starts off with more rock climbing and tunnels. It is pretty strenuous and not for the faint of heart. But if you think the first little bit is bad, you best turn around. In fact we saw a couple that did exactly that. Climbed for about 10 minutes and then said... No Way! Not us though! We were in this for the long haul!

The first set of rungs!

It quickly escalates into ladders and some cliff walks. I don't really know how to describe it to be honest. I felt like I was a kid again, climbing on the cliffs and paying no attention to the dangers around! I have no idea how real the danger really was, but there were points when I felt like I was in a little over my head. Pictures don't really do it justice, but I'm going to post a few anyway...

But the entire way up you are working along this cliff face that looks out over the harbor. The views are spectacular the entire way up, if you can take your eyes off the trail and not succumb to fear or nervousness.

A small "tunnel" that you have to squeeze through!

There really is no way to even describe this trail. Especially the second half which is so full of cliffs and rungs that is seems you never really get to just "hike"! And to think I never really expected to ever get to do this trail! Like the picture, there are several of these sets of ladders and rungs that you have to climb to get to the top. And going down is simply not an option (for me at least). The ranger advised us not to go down, but we did see one guy that was going to try it.

After we finally finished and made it all the way to the top (1052 ft) we headed down a much simpler trail to Sand Beach. this trail was long (2.6 miles) but not really technical or difficult. But it was enjoyable. Sometimes a member of the party would head off the trail and hide for a few minutes just to "get away from the other people". It was a really great experience! I don't know if there is any trial at Acadia that can live up to the experience that the Precipice gives but we are going to try and find out. There is another trail called Jordan Cliffs that is typically closed as well. We are off to that trail soon!