Beech Mountain

I had a good friend ask me this fall if I had time to hike once in awhile. Being the person I am and having a love of hiking but never wanting to go alone I jumped at the chance. This blog is to share what we consider to be our own experiences and we want to share with others what the hiking books and maps don't always tell you. We are recounting our hiking trips that we have been doing for well over a month now as the idea came to us on of all places, a hike, today (Oct 14, 2010) I start with our first hike together.

September 9, 2010 - Beech Mountain Elev 839' via the trail from my house, to the South Ridge Trail, to the summit of Beech Mountain and down the West Ridge Trail along Long Pond and back home.
Our first hike together as hiking partners began at my house on a warm sunny day. The beauty of living on Mount Desert Island is you have a hiker's paradise in your backyard! We took the connector trails from my house and began the ascent up the South Ridge Trail. This trail has had extensive work done to it this summer and fall (2010). Many blow down trees and serious water run off from heavy rain storms had damaged the trail. The Park Service has spent many hours rebuilding and constructing the route the zig zags up the bump that connects to the fire tower mountain. Several spots along the way you can view surrounding areas to the south such as Southwest Harbor and to the west such as Seal Cove, etc. Take time to catch your breath as elevation gain is quick here and take in the sights of the off shore coastline that is now visible from time to time.

We approach the fire tower and views explode behind us. It's been years since we have hiked Beech Mtn and now we wonder why we waited so long.
The views are mostly to the east, south and some towards the west. None really to the north.
We do not go up in the fire tower as it's closed most of the time and only open on special days the Park Service holds tours.

After catching our breath as we are a tad red faced and winded from a summer of no hiking. But now rejuvenated with the hiking fever! We are supposed to be at work as it's a Thursday morning so we opt to take the West Ridge trail for our descent. And why not? We will end the hike along the banks of Long Pond in Southwest Harbor. Not bad for a morning at work!
The West Ridge Trail descends quickly with mostly open ledges to start but several spots are rocky and rooty on the way down. More rocks than roots. When you come to a parking area or dirt road area remain along the shore for a great cool walk back to the pumping station parking area. This trail has several wooden bridges along the shore that are part of the trail.

We take the road back to my house and now we are convinced we have to continue this new found addiction at least twice a week. Our next hike already being planned before we finished the Beech Mountain hike. We not only share a love of the outdoors and hiking we share a love of laughing as well.