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Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018 season, is this Reds last stand?
Ocean Drive is the section of Park Loop Road between the Sand Beach entrance station and Otter Cliffs.
If you want to hike Cadillac Mountain rather than drive, the fastest way up is probably the North Ridge Trail (about 4-4.5 miles round trip, moderately difficult). I suggest going up the Gorge Path (about 2 miles one way) and coming down the North Ridge trail. The Gorge trail is more strenuous but is more interesting on the way up.
If you're not afraid of heights, I might drive up Cadillac and check out the views and then continue on Park Loop road and hike up Precipice (do a google image search of the "Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park" for a preview). The Sand Beach/Ocean Drive part of the loop is after the Precipice parking.
If you stop in the visitor's center first and tell them how much time you have, they can suggest some options in the park to hit the highlights. This is my suggestion for a day trip:
Stop at Hulls Cove Visitors Center, purchase park pass (if you don't have a NPS annual pass), talk to a ranger at the information desk.
Bring a picnic lunch.
Start your drive on Park Loop Road
Drive up Cadillac Mountain
Continue on Park loop road to the Precipice Trailhead Parking. Hike up the Precipice to the summit of Champlain Mountain. Hike down Champlain North Ridge until you get to an intersection where you will go right towards the Orange and Black trail. At the end of the short connector from Champlain North Ridge to Orange and Black you are going to go right back towards the Precipice. When you meet back with the Precipice hike down to your car.
Continue on Park Loop Road to Sand Beach/Ocean Drive. Depending on how much time you have park somewhere and walk along Ocean Drive (there is a path from Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs).
Continue along Park Loop Road, maybe stopping at Jordan Pond House for tea and popovers.
Finish the loop and drive into Bar Harbor for dinner/beer. Blaze has the best line up of taps in Bar Harbor.
If you are afraid of heights, don't do the Precipice and modify this plan. Maybe hike Cadillac North Ridge (or Gorge Path on the way up, North Ridge on the way down). Talk to a ranger in the visitors center about your plan and maybe they will have some suggestions. If you're short on time, do the same drive, but hike up the Beehive instead. It's a very short hike. I usually come back down the back side to "The Bowl" and then hike around the base of the Beehive back to the car. You can do this hike in an hour.
Keep in mind this time of year you'll start losing daylight early. I think sunset will be around 5:30 and it will be totally dark by 7.
Originally posted by Biddco
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If you want to hike Cadillac Mountain rather than drive, the fastest way up is probably the North Ridge Trail (about 4-4.5 miles round trip, moderately difficult). I suggest going up the Gorge Path (about 2 miles one way) and coming down the North Ridge trail. The Gorge trail is more strenuous but is more interesting on the way up.
If you're not afraid of heights, I might drive up Cadillac and check out the views and then continue on Park Loop road and hike up Precipice (do a google image search of the "Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park" for a preview). The Sand Beach/Ocean Drive part of the loop is after the Precipice parking.
If you stop in the visitor's center first and tell them how much time you have, they can suggest some options in the park to hit the highlights. This is my suggestion for a day trip:
Stop at Hulls Cove Visitors Center, purchase park pass (if you don't have a NPS annual pass), talk to a ranger at the information desk.
Bring a picnic lunch.
Start your drive on Park Loop Road
Drive up Cadillac Mountain
Continue on Park loop road to the Precipice Trailhead Parking. Hike up the Precipice to the summit of Champlain Mountain. Hike down Champlain North Ridge until you get to an intersection where you will go right towards the Orange and Black trail. At the end of the short connector from Champlain North Ridge to Orange and Black you are going to go right back towards the Precipice. When you meet back with the Precipice hike down to your car.
Continue on Park Loop Road to Sand Beach/Ocean Drive. Depending on how much time you have park somewhere and walk along Ocean Drive (there is a path from Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs).
Continue along Park Loop Road, maybe stopping at Jordan Pond House for tea and popovers.
Finish the loop and drive into Bar Harbor for dinner/beer. Blaze has the best line up of taps in Bar Harbor.
If you are afraid of heights, don't do the Precipice and modify this plan. Maybe hike Cadillac North Ridge (or Gorge Path on the way up, North Ridge on the way down). Talk to a ranger in the visitors center about your plan and maybe they will have some suggestions. If you're short on time, do the same drive, but hike up the Beehive instead. It's a very short hike. I usually come back down the back side to "The Bowl" and then hike around the base of the Beehive back to the car. You can do this hike in an hour.
Keep in mind this time of year you'll start losing daylight early. I think sunset will be around 5:30 and it will be totally dark by 7.
Maybe Maine will show up, who can predict that
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