Champlain Mountain Hike

We returned to this area after the hike in March.  It was a lot different-the park loop road was open and free until May 1st.  We drove the new vehicle, 2011 Honda Pilot, and parked in the upper lot of Sand Beach.  It was a very breezy day and seemed to go between chilly and warm.

I kept my down sweater on though out the hike.

Kim and I separated at this point.  I hadn't been up this trail in 17 years.  The last time our niece Shelby had been 12 or so! Kim shouldered the heavy backpack and I headed up the Beehive.

View of The Beehive from the trial split.

This sign is NOT and exaggeration !

Heading to the foot of The Beehive.  Great granite hues ands spring light at midday.

The trial zig-zags along the face of the head.

This bridge over a gap is just one of the many necessary additions to make this trial accessible.

I get high enough for first views of Sand Beach.  Although the overall elevation is not staggering, the closeness to sea level combined with the abrupt rise is impressive.

Same spot but looking out towards Otter Cliffs.

Close-up of Otter Cliffs.

From the summit overlooking Sand Beach.  Look back at October for a view of Kim and I on this spot with me 50 pounds heavier.

This photo is from the back side of The Beehive looking towards the Bowl.

We think we watched a trio of Falcon's doing their aerial maneuvers.  Check out the short video to see them.

This is at the same spot but looking East to Schooner Head road and marsh.

Warning sign from the opposite direction to The Beehive.

We headed to The Bowl.

In the center of the Bowl is a beautiful Beaver Pond.

We followed a split cedar trail along the south side of the pond.

Across the pond is our objective for the day, Champlain Mountain.

This photo shows the pond and the Beehive from the opposing direction.
 (Sorry Atlantic Ocean, I didn't mean to ignore you.)

A view of one of many false peaks to Champlain Mountain.

Looking across Frenchman's Bay with Schooner Head, Lighthouse, and Pond Island.

Summit of Champlain Mountain.

Looking North towards Bar Harbor and the Porcupines as we traverse the descent on the North Ridge trail.

This is a highly zoomed in view of downtown Bar Harbor from near the summit of Champlain Mountain.

Before this green up with foliage, they really do look like porcupines!

Jackson Labs Complex.

This is the intersection that takes you back towards the Orange and Black Trail as a black Lab photobombs my shot. There were a lot of dogs on the mountain today.

Behind this trail maker is the granite bench that we found in March.
After a short break on the bench we descended in 2/10ths of a mile onto the Park Loop Road and walked about 2 miles back to Sand Beach Parking.  We stopped in Bar Harbor for a late lunch at Galeyn's Restaurant.  We headed back to I-95 for the long ride home.

Video of Hike