Hiking

jim
jim
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
3
Photos
Editor Pick

Hiking Katahdin

  • July 22, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Zstrick from Central, Pennsylvania
Hiking Katahdin

The sun was up and there were no people to be found on north OR southbound lanes. It seemed like forever until we reached the nearest city..or what looked like a city. As soon as I saw the first person, I belted out one word. "People"! The entire car busted into laughter and we all started to feel better...or maybe it was the coffee. We were all wide-awake in the middle of nowhere. Then we passed a sign for the park radio. So we changed the channel and started to listen. When we changed the channel the whole car fell silent.

We found out that they only allowed so many people in the park. I think all our hearts sank when we heard the news, because it was already 8.We finally found out that it was not full. So we got all our stuff around at the base and we hit the trail around 8am. There was a father and son 20 minutes ahead of us as we signed in on the trail board. Our goal for the time being was to safely catch up to them. So we started at a very fast pace, almost a jog but walking... you know what I mean. We passed the hikers in a little bit resting on a fallen log. Although we passed the hikers, we still kept a steady pace.

That is until we hit the boulder field. We had stretched our whole bodies to get over some boulders. That is when we started to slow down, and take out time. Of course, my mom (37) was scared to death that something would happen to me all the way there. Anyway, so all the way through the hike there are areas where you can look back and see where you have been and the views around you. You get your best views when you are out of the tree line, but at the same time, it also gets more dangerous.

After we've climbed some extremely large boulders, we came to a very short ledge. A few feet above our heads was a small steel hook, and a bar. This is when my mom finally lost it and could not go any farther. So we reached "our summit" for the time being. We took pictures, and stuff and started to head back down. As we got down off the steep parts and into the tree line, we started to say, "It didn't seem this hard coming up"! Our knees and legs ached all the way down. When we reached the base, we were all relieved. Then we looked up at the top and just gaped at the mountain.

It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Mainly because we did not finish it, but hey, I can always do it next year!

From journal Baa Haba: The Sequel

Editor Pick

Hiking in the National Park

  • August 17, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Natalie from Bar Harbor, Maine
Bee Hive and the Precipice both rate as strenuous hikes. Each climb contains iron rung ladders and bridges. Wear shoes designed for hiking, these climbs will not tolerate anything less.

Dorr Mountain Step trail is a great leg work out. Granite stone steps line the mountain side all the way to the top.

Acadia Mountain has a moderate hike with beautiful views at the top. The mountain is situated near Echo Lake, so you can take a dip and cool off after your hike.

Wonderland and Ships Harbor are both leisurely walks that take you down to the ocean's edge. Perfect for the family with strollers or a romantic hand in hand walk.

The Shore Path is located in Bar Harbor; the Shore Path edges the shore with spectacular front row seats of summer estates.

From journal Island Adventure

Hiking 'Precipice'

  • July 5, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by jim from Charlotte, North Carolina
Precipice is just one of many mountains to hike in Acadia National Park. It just happens to be one of the most impressive and it overlooks the ocean. The hike is pretty tiring (about 3 miles each way after winding up to the top). Some sections are very steep and you end up walking on a variety of different types of paths. Some are easy, slow inclines on dirt paths. Some are steep, rock steps, or granite rocks and boulders. And others are a combination of paths and metal ladders hammered into the side of the mountain. If you are afraid of heights, some of the narrow ledges will give you problems, but I thought it was great (not too easy, but no real danger of falling). However, if you do fall, you are toast. A couple of years back, a man murdered his wife by pushing her over the edge of one of the ledges. Having said that, pack some water, enjoy the view, and head up the mountain. You will enjoy this hike a lot.

From journal Bar Harbor: Sportsman's (and woman's) Paradise

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