My legs were still good after Dorr Mountain so I hiked back to Sieur de Monts, refilled my water bottle, and headed back out to hike over
Huguenot Head and Champlain to Sand Beach (about 4 miles). Beachcroft Trail up Huguenot is another amazing granite stairway cutting through a boulder field. I marvel at the effort required to create this trail - keeping in mind this was built in 1915.
The path starts gently, then becomes switchbacks winding through the boulders, with dizzying views (a bit scary if you're afraid of heights, and the wind was 20+ mph that day, seemed it could blow me over the edge). When you reach the top of Huguenot, there are views of Frenchman Bay to the north and Seal Harbor to the south. The trail goes down into a cool wooded cull, then starts up Champlain - this is where the going gets tough! In various guidebooks, this trail is labeled as "strenuous" but it also should provide some warning of the rock scrambling - a few spots require finger holds in crevices to pull yourself up over boulders. Then there's a long stretch of extremely steep granite ledge - slippery and hazardous when wet and also difficult on the calves (granite staircase was much easier). But the views at the top make it all worthwhile. This mountain is not as tall as Cadillac, but is the tallest peak right on the short of Frenchman Bay - wow!
The walk down Champlain South Ridge is much shorter than Cadillac South Ridge but more challenging due to many sections climbing down granite. I enjoyed the challenge and will be happy to do this one again! I've been recommending this one to guests (with warnings about the rock scrambling challenges, of course) because it is a good sampling of Acadia hiking, including the magnificent granite craftsmanship, incredible views, blueberries to enjoy, two glacial tarns, close proximity to the shoreline, and no ladders which intimidate some folks.
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| This path will be beautiful in fall! |
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| Stone path through the trees |
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| Path gets steeper entering the bouder field |
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| Looking back towards Frenchman Bay |
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| Marvelous steps |
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| Looking back down the little switchbacks, way down to the Tarn |
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| And continuing along the mountain side |
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| Still more steps and a few longer switchbacks |
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| The trail levels out approaching the granite ledges |
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| Looking down over the Tarn |
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| The wind was tremendous, not a good idea to walk near the edge on that loose gravel |
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| Looking south down Hwy 3 towards Seal Harbor |
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| Looking north towards Frenchman Bay |
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| Now the real climbing begins |
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| Some very large steps |
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| Steeply sloped granite |
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| Looking back towards little Huguenot, then Dorr and the peak of Cadillac in the background |
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| More steep granite ledge |
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| More rock scrambling |
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| Beautiful little pond at the summit |
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| Looking towards the Beachcroft trail I just came from |
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| Looking north where the North Ridge Trail heads |
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| Looking east from the top of the Precipice (which was closed for Peregrine Falcon nesting) |
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| South Ridge Trail to Sand Beach (seen in the distance on the left) |
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| I picked a few more blueberries too |
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| Continuing along granite ledges enjoying spectacular scenery |
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| The Bowl comes into view, with the back of Beehive to the left and Gorham Mtn on the right |
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| After much rock scrambling, finally arriving at the Bowl |
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| At the Bowl, looking back towards the summit of Champlain |
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| Watched folks climbing Beehive for a few minutes |
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| The final bit to Sand Beach is very rocky |
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