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Thursday, July 22, 2010

♥Gorham mountain trail to the Bowl Acadia NP

Howdee all,

Our last full day in Acadia NP :(

We started the morning bright and early with a ranger led birding program.

Black throated Blue, Chestnut sided warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Hermit and Wood thrush, Cedar Waxwings, Crows, Peregrine Falcon and more seen and heard that morning.

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Jeff and Samarrah were tired after the early bird walk so we went back to camp so they could nap.

We were all excited about the first family..the Obamas being in Bar Harbor.

We thought there might be a possibility of seeing them, but we  didn't go out to pursue them.

If we had we may have seen them.

Instead we decided to hike Gorham Mountain, a hike that Jeff and I have done several times,usually in the fall. We prefer going to the island then..much quieter.

 

Gorham Mountain

Difficulty-easy-moderate

Miles- 3 mile round-trip

 

 

 

This is not a difficult trail. You will be hiking uphill for most of the hike..but the elevation at the summit is only 525 feet.

There are many ways to get to the summit.

We took the trail from the Gorham Mountain parking lot, a bit past Thunder hole.

Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks

The trail starts out on slabs of rocks…Gorham mt hike_011

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    The trail lined with Conifers and blueberry.

If you visit in July and August, you have the extra bonus of ripe Maine blueberries.Gorham mt hike_016

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This is for you sicksta Dell

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More rocks than you can fit in your yard.

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“…..a plaque honoring Waldron Bates - Pathmaker. He was the first to utilize stone stairways and iron rung ladders in the trails to help hikers traverse cliffs, talus slopes (the sloped mass of rocks at the base of a cliff), and other steep areas.”Gorham mt hike_023

   More rocky uphill

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A view of fog starting to come in.

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   Follow the blue blazes..

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   I always enjoy this trail..

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Not very difficult

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  Stone steps…

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Thanks Walden Bates..

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Oh..are we there yet?

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Jeff and Samarah wait..I am a much slower hikerGorham mt hike_035  This is Gorham Mountain's false summit where you will have an open view of Otter Cliff, Otter Point, Baker Island, and the Cranberry Island.Gorham mt hike_037When its not so foggy..

the fog was just starting to roll in at about 4pm.Gorham mt hike_038    We continue to the summitGorham mt hike_042 Gorham mt hike_044Still more uphill… Gorham mt hike_045 Follow the Cairns. Gorham mt hike_048 Which cairn do you like?Gorham mt hike_049I liked them all.. 

Gorham mt hike_051So you are forced to look at them.. Gorham mt hike_052close your eyes or speed thru this part…  Gorham mt hike_056 I am putting them all here…Gorham mt hike_057ok..you need a cairn break..

how about some nice paving stones.. Gorham mt hike_058 Or boulders to follow..Gorham mt hike_059  Or..

More Cairns..Gorham mt hike_061  Yep..not at the top yet..

follow the Cairns..Gorham mt hike_063 Gorham mt hike_064  I know what you are going to say..

OH NO..NOT MORE CAIRNS!Gorham mt hike_066 Yep..turn the page if you don't want to see them :):)

I personally think they are lovely!

Gorham mt hike_068  The fog getting thicker..Gorham mt hike_070 And guess what…

Summit! Gorham mt hike_073We are all hungry. Luckily we packed Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches. Gorham mt hike_074 This little fella smelled them and decided to wait until we were done.Gorham mt hike_075We didn't feed it, but it still looked around after we left. It found a few granola bar crumbs.  Gorham mt hike_078     OH NO..

oh yes…Cairn..

We take trail toward the Beehive trail.Gorham mt hike_083 Toward the Bowl

Gorham mt hike_084 Gorham mt hike_085This time we walk downhill… Gorham mt hike_086 Past large slabs of rock..Gorham mt hike_088 Sorry Sickstas..I couldn't carry these back for you.Gorham mt hike_089 Gorham mt hike_092This looked like wild cranberry to me..but, I am used to it growing in a bog.

This was a wet area..but not a bog. Gorham mt hike_093 Growing along side this were theses huge blueberries..much larger than most found on the trail.Gorham mt hike_094  This area is very damp..mushrooms growing out of moss.Gorham mt hike_097  We walk along a watery path.Gorham mt hike_100 Gorham mt hike_101 Tiny red mushrooms..Gorham mt hike_102To the pond..at the Bowl.

Gorham mt hike_107 The pond was getting fogged in as well.Gorham mt hike_108  We followed the trail part way around the lake.Gorham mt hike_111 We had distant views of a Beaver..taking a freshly cut log to its home.Gorham mt hike_112We saw small beetles..

Anyone know who this is? Gorham mt hike_113 It was time to head back..Gorham mt hike_118 It was getting late..Gorham mt hike_120 We had more Cairns to follow..Gorham mt hike_121Rocks to pass.. Gorham mt hike_123 Boulders to look at…Gorham mt hike_124 Did I say more cairns?Gorham mt hike_125We hiked up.. Gorham mt hike_126 Past more of these Rock thingys…Gorham mt hike_127 And trees coming out of rocks..

Gorham mt hike_128And water resting in rock.. Gorham mt hike_131  And more..humm..fog..

(did you see the cairn?)

Gorham mt hike_133 Fog getting thicker..Gorham mt hike_134 Gorham mt hike_135  Gorham mt hike_137 Ha..last cairn..Gorham mt hike_138  Almost at the bottom..Gorham mt hike_141    Another wonderful hike in Acadia National Park..

A week was not long enough in this wonderful park.

We had no time to kayak, bike, go on a whale watch…etc etc..

We will be back..for more fun and frolicking.

and…

More Cairns!

♥I love Acadia National Park♥

15 comments:

  1. wonderful trail, looks like a fun days walking. The beetle in question looks like some sort of wood borer, but can't find a match in my guide.

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  2. Wow, those pictures are beautiful! I love all of the different colors in the rocks.

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  3. What a magnificent hike. Acadia is so lush and gorgeous. Especially like all the rocks, too bad you couldn't pocket a few. LOL And really like the unique cairns.

    So where to next?

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  4. Acadia is my favorite NP - I love the feel of the old worn rocks, the mysterious fog, and the crystal water. You've captured the mood of Acadia.

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  5. Dawn, I am starting to think that you are part "Cairn" terrier! You are ferocious in your photography of those things! I hope to be back east towards the end of August. Will you still be there? Believe it or not, Gus and I will be moving back soon.

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  6. Wow, what a gorgeous area. Boulders & cairns galore! So very lush and scenic. Wonderful post!

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  7. Dawn what a wonderful hike, I enjoyed the views from the summit. The fog is neat and I love the cairns. Acadia looks like a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I have Cairns in my head!

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  9. Wonderful photos! They bring back some wonderful memories for me. I just love those lichen covered granite domes!

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  10. forestal
    Thanks for the bug info..sounds like something I would find in the woods..:)

    Jim and Gayle
    Glad you liked the cairns! Happy hiking to you both!

    letspaintnature.com
    Hey you Artist you..you must paint a picture of those rocks! You are very talented!

    Gaelyn
    Howdee..yeah..couldnt pocket those big rocks..
    We are spending the rest of the summer between CT and MA..families driveways.

    Samarrah
    I want to go back too!!!

    Chris Petrak
    It is a wonderful NP. Thanks for your nice compliment.

    Kathiesbirds
    hee hee..your comment made me laugh..yes i am a Cairn Terror!
    Hope to see you very soon.

    Julie G.
    Thanks Julie for your nice comment on the Cairns

    eileeninmd
    Thanks Eileen..its a great park. Glad you enjoyed the tour.

    Andy
    I figured you did..Hee hee..

    Hilke Breder
    Thanks muchly..glad I could bring back some memories for you..It sure is a beautiful place!

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  11. I just came across your blog on the Nature Blog Network. Noticed right away the pictures of Gorham Mountain in ANP. It's funny you climbed it on the 22nd, I had climbed it on the 17th, along with The Beehive. You have an awesome set of pictures here and I enjoyed looking through them. Stop by my blog if you have a moment. Our Acadia trip is outlined a few posts down. When I get home tonight, I'll be sure to look you up on Twitter and FB if you have pages to follow you.

    Thanks,
    Karl
    www.livefreeandhikenh.blogspot.com

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  12. Oh my that looks like such a cool place. Joe and I are definitely going to have to put that on our vacation list. So many rocks so little time!!

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  13. your beetle is one of the many long horned beetles I believe...

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ok what do you really think?????