Acadia Day 2 and 3

 Like day 1 of our trip to Acadia National Park, the weather did not cooperate but like the day before, we forged ahead and ended up having a memorable day.

We planned to hike Cadillac Mountain and it was all we hoped it would be. Well minus the spectacular views and warmth. After driving by it  a couple times we finally found the South Ridge Trailhead. It may have been easier to find if another car was there but we were the only ones crazy enough to get an early start to hiking in bad weather. In fact in the entire round trip hike, we encountered only 6 people. Having such a popular trail to ourselves was incredible and definitely a positive result of the inclement weather. and it made the hike so enjoyable. We dressed warm and for the first 1 1/2 miles or so, sheltered by the trees, we actually worked up a sweat. When we emerged from the forest, the rest of the hike was exposed to the wind and mist. Nothing that our rain gear couldn't handle and we enjoyed ourselves making sure to walk carefully up the pink granite slope. We could not see a thing through the thick fog so I will have to take everyone's word word it when I hearl the stories I about the magnificent views on The South Ridge Trail. We decided we would have to drive to the summit on Monday which was supposed to be sunny , to see what we missed.

 After having a quick lunch at the summit and decending, we were proud of ourselves for enduring the entire 7.2 miles so we decided to try another quick hike to South Bubble Rock. It was a short hike with an amazing view which I can look up on google I guess because we couldn't see a thing as evidenced by this photo. But we were having so much fun it didn't matter and we felt a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Day 3 was completely different. The weather while still in the high 40's-low 50's , was bright and sunny in the morning. We got an early start to hike the Gorham Mountain-Ocean Path Loop. It is a combination or a short but scenic trail up Gorham Mountain which ends at Sand Beach , then a walk along Ocean Path with its rocky shores leading to Otter Cliffs. The whole loop was close to 6 miles and the views were amazing. 

View From Gorham Mountain.

 Beginning of Ocean Path

  

   We decided we had to drive back up to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see what we missed the day before. The drive up was awesome with several lookouts. The summit was 43 degrees and while it was windy and getting cloudy, the views amazed us considering we could not see 50 feet in front of us the day before.

It was a great way to end our trip and we are so eager to get the big trip out west started. We also couldn't believe that we had never taken advantage of having a National Park like Acadia a mere 4 1/2 hours away. It was one of those things we always said we wanted to do but put off and never got to. 

Video of Gorham Mountain-Ocean Path Loop