We had 3 consecutive days off - it was nice to have time to rest, run errands, and also time to explore - so I convinced Gary to go on another hike (I wanted to share with him one of my favorites). Beachcroft Trail up and over Huguenot Head and to the summit of Champlain is one of the oldest and most impressive rock staircase-type trails in the park. And the views from Champlain, largest and closest mountain to the shoreline, couldn't be better! It's about 4 miles up and over, from Sieur de Monts Springs over the mountains and down to Sand Beach.
However, this hike is much more physically demanding than our previous hike of Beech Cliff Ladder Trail, due to the long switchback staircases, very steeply-sloped granite climbs, and knee-challenging rock scrambles both up and down. Beachcroft trail is not a good idea if heights make you dizzy, and Champlain South Ridge is not a good idea if you have bad knees. But these are some of my favorite things...especially the dizzying views and the little rock scramble challenges.
Last time I hiked this, I had finished the Dorr Mtn Ladder Trail that morning, and had to hustle to catch the last shuttle on the other side of the mountain. This time, we got an earlier start, but moved much slower (Gary takes a lot of breaks). It was just a leisurely stroll by comparison to my previous breakneck "workout" pace. Loved it either way. Gary enjoyed it too, but we still BARELY finished in time to catch the last Sand Beach shuttle of the day!
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| It's a .3 mile hike from Sieur de Monts to the trailhead |
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| Trail quickly reaches switchbacks |
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| That's a long way down to the Tarn |
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| Impressive staircases |
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| Views to Frenchman Bay |
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| Gary's working hard |
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| Amazing rockwork |
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| A little shelter from a storm |
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| More stairs along a granite wall |
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| He's doing okay |
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| end of staircase - granite ledge looking towards the Cranberries |
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| On Huguenot looking up at Champlain south ridge |
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| After a brief down, the climb up Champlain begins |
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| It is a climb! |
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| Still more climbing |
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| Up up up we go |
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| Climbing and scrambling over rocks |
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| Views to Frenchman Bay and cruise ships in town |
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| Steep granite almost requires scrambling on all fours - easier up than down! |
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| Quick breather to enjoy the view |
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| After more climbing, we reach the Champlain summit |
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| Spectacular views of the porcupine islands |
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| checking out the Precipice, which ends at the summit of Champlain |
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| Heading down South Ridge Trail on Champlain |
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| Egg Rock lighthouse and Schoodic Peninsula in the distance |
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| A view of Sand Beach (that's where we're headed) and Acadia's sourthern coast |
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| South Ridge Trail involves lots of knee work |
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| Climbing down |
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| Climbing up |
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| Goodbye to a cruise ship heading out |
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| More climbing up |
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| The "Bowl" and back of the Beehive |
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| Carefully choosing your footsteps |
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| Still more downward scrambling |
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| Finally at the Bowl, where we sat and watched swimming leeches |
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| Cedar planks for your hikiing pleasure |
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| Down down down, watch the footing |
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| And we barely made the last Sand Beach shuttle home! |
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