Beech Mountain (Acadia National Park)

Beech Mountain (Acadia National Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 1.3 miles
Elevation: 351 feet
Time: 46 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Acadia Ascents

The Hike

After a.... restful(?)... night of sleep in my CRV, my 4:00am alarm went off and I headed to Beech Mountain! There was a bathroom at the trailhead which had me very excited for obvious reasons, but it was just two nasty porta potties and my body was not ready for it's morning business. I didn't intend to make this an official sunrise hike, since I'm scared of the dark, but I was given a gift at the summit - more on that in a minute.

The hike starts on the Beech Mountain Loop Trail, which is technically a lollipop loop with a short stem. The stem is into the woods out of the corner of the parking lot and quickly divides to start the actual lollipop. I took the left fork to hike the loop clockwise, but it really could have been done in either direction. I think the clockwise loop gets the steeper sections over early, but nothing on this hike was too steep (or long for that matter). The trail quickly breaks out of the woods and enters a scrubby slabby area, like most hikes in Acadia. Before I knew it I was at the summit and fire tower! 

Right as I was arriving the sun was breaking above Norumbega Mountain and it was absolutely incredible. The firey red-oranges of the sunrise paired with the smoky fog that collected between the mountains was something that people buy paintings of. It was one of those moments where I was like "okay I guess I still like hiking," all while forgetting to blink while staring directly into the sun. The firetower cabin and upper deck was closed, but I was able to climb up to the lower landing to get a few more photos. The fog was quickly burning off, which added to the showcase of the morning. The only reason I left was because I had two more hikes to complete this day and I knew it was going to rain in the afternoon, but I could have stayed forever!

The return trip was as smooth as the previous section. There is a short descent and then the views open up towards Mansell and Bernard Mountains, which were being magnificently illuminated by the sunrise. I took way too many photos of the exact same view, and then started the main part of the descent. The trail dips back into the woods for a bit longer than the first half, and before I knew it I was back at the stem of the lollipop and back to the car. What an amazing start to the day!

Step-By-Step

• Park a Beech Mountain Trailhead at the end of Beech Hill Rd.
• Start hike on Beech Mountain Loop Trail, turn left at fork.
• Continue hike to summit, then follow signs to continue on Beech Mountain Loop Trail.
• Rejoin the main trail at the original fork and return to car.

Trail Descriptions from Maine Mountain Guide

Beech Mountain Loop Trail

        "This trail leaves the northwest side of Beech Mtn. parking area to the left of the toilet. The trail forks in 100 yd. Turn left here to hike the loop clockwise. The trail ascends over ledges through semi-open woods to reach a jct. with Beech Mtn. South Ridge Trail immediately below the summit fire tower. Scramble 20 ft. to the base of the tower for fine views east. From this jct., hike downhill to the right to the jct. with Beech West Ridge Trail, which enters on the left. Continue right on Beech Mtn. Loop Trail, and quickly reach open ledges and extraordinary views over Long Pond to Mansell Mtn. and Bernard Mtn. Descend over ledges, then enter the woods below. Continue to descend moderately, then swing east on a contour to close the loop near the parking area at the end of Beech Hill Rd."

Beech Mountain

        "This mountain rises steeply between Echo Lake and Long Pond. Its summit, adorned by the only fire tower on Mt. Desert Island, can be reached either from the Beech Mtn. parking area, at the end of Beech Hill Rd. in the notch between Beech Cliff and Beech Mtn., from Echo Lake, or from the pumping station area at the south end of Long Pond. The iron tower was erected in 1962, replacing the original wooden structure. The tower is often open to visitors on summer weekends."

        "Beech Cliff and Canada Cliff, on the east side of the mountain overlooking Echo Lake, can be reached by short trails from the Beech Mtn. parking area or from the Echo Lake parking area (follow a short access road from ME 198 in Southwest Harbor. At 0.6 mi., turn right onto Long Pond Rd., and follow the road to its end at the pumping station at 1.8 mi. Parking is limited."

Photo Album