2014-06-18 RAIN RAIN RAIN - and then a Beech Mtn hike in the afternoon

After the lovely weather on Tuesday, our 2nd day off was nearly a washout - rain overnight and through most of the day. Cleared up about 3pm, so I headed out for an afternoon hike on some wet trails. About a 15 minute drive south is Beech Mountain on the "quiet side"; this is the only mountain on the island with an observation tower.  Beech Cliff Trail was still closed due to peregrine falcon nesting, but the trails above could be accessed from the parking lot off Beech Hill Road. Combining several loops including Canada Cliffs, Beech Cliff Loop, and Beech Mountain, it made for a nice 2.5 mile hike.

.2 miles down easy Valley Trail



Up a connector to Canada Cliffs - tricky, slippery



thank goodness for planks

Canada Cliffs trail provides many views

Still lots of water running across the rocks



Looking southwest to the tower

Up Beech Cliffs Loop to an awesome view

From that sandy beach is the ladder trail leading up here



East across Echo Lake, Acadia Mountain, and Somes Sound in the distance



Steep dropoffs

Beech Cliff Loop is a view-rich trail

From Echo Lake, there is a ladder trail called Beech Cliff Trail, a must-do climb once the trail re-opens after peregrine nesting is clear, but only on a dry day. Check out the fantastic photos on Joe's Guide - really looking forward to this one!

Looking down at the sandy beach on Echo Lake

From the Beech Cliff Loop, I headed back down to the Beech Mtn parking lot, then cross and up to the summit of Beech Mountain to visit the observation tower.

 

Quickly up

Several nice view spots along the way

 Looking back northeast towards Echo Lake and Somes Sound

A very wet trail after the rains

Approaching the tower, through pitch pine woodlands

More spectcular views, looking south

The tower provides commanding views on the south end of Mt Desert Island

Now that's a view!

One of many little water falls coming down the mountain