Acadia National Park
View of Sand Beach and the Beehive from Great Head Trail
I felt pulled here. And once I arrived I felt at home. I fell in love instantly. The smell of the saltwater spray reminded me of my favorite little town in Alaska. The smell of the evergreen trees reminded me of the Appalachian Trail, and the combination of the two overwhelmed my senses. I immediately started daydreaming of a life here.
Without having done any research on the park prior to showing up, I learned of areas to visit just by driving through, which has it’s pros and cons. I had no expectations and therefore everything was a pleasant surprise, which is how I prefer it to be. I spent two and a half days in the park, mostly spent driving around and stopping at random trailheads.
I walked across Sand Beach, hopped over a creek, and hiked the Great Head Trail for views of the water crashing against rocks.
Once I read the sign for the Precipice Trail that said it was the steepest and most challenging hike in the park, I knew I had to do it. The trail had me crawling under boulders, climbing rebar ladders bolted into the rock-face, and hanging on for dear life on narrow ledges. It reminded me of a cross between the infamous Mahoosuc Notch on the Appalachian Trail and Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. But the views were absolutely worth the heart palpitations and sweaty palms, the burnt orange of the trees glowing down below.
I waited for the sun to set balancing on rocks below the recognizable lighthouse that is printed on all the park’s postcards.
I drove through tunnels of yellow and orange foliage. I wandered atop Cadillac Mountain with views of nearby Bar Harbor and islands. I stared off into the distance feeling exceptionally grateful to be able to witness this beauty.
“I fall in love easily with every place I visit. It could be due to my wandering lifestyle but I can picture myself living anywhere. So as I waited for the sun to set by this lighthouse I daydreamed a future here.”
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
precipice trail
